62 Idioms for Gossip
People like to talk. Sometimes they talk about others. This is called gossip. Gossip can be fun, but it can also hurt feelings. In English, we use idioms to talk about gossip. Idioms are short phrases with special meanings. They do not mean exactly what the words say.
Learning idioms for gossip can help you understand stories and chats. You may hear them at school or in books. These idioms are easy to learn and fun to use. In this article, you will see simple idioms about gossip. You will also learn what they mean and how to use them.
Idioms for Gossip
1. Spill the beans
Meaning: Tell a secret.
Other Way to Say: tell the secret, let it out
Alternative Meaning: share news, say what was hidden
Example: Ben spilled the beans about the party.
2. Spread rumors
Meaning: Tell stories that may not be true.
Other Way to Say: pass stories, share talk
Alternative Meaning: tell gossip, make stories
Example: Do not spread rumors at school.
3. Talk behind someone’s back
Meaning: Say things when they are not there.
Other Way to Say: whisper about, speak in secret
Alternative Meaning: say mean things, hide talk
Example: They talk behind her back at lunch.
4. Hear it through the grapevine
Meaning: Hear news from others.
Other Way to Say: hear from friends, hear around
Alternative Meaning: get news fast, hear talk
Example: I heard it through the grapevine.
5. Dish the dirt
Meaning: Tell bad or private news.
Other Way to Say: share secrets, tell dirt
Alternative Meaning: talk bad, tell stories
Example: She likes to dish the dirt.
6. Run your mouth
Meaning: Talk too much.
Other Way to Say: talk a lot, say too much
Alternative Meaning: share too much, keep talking
Example: He runs his mouth in class.
7. Blab
Meaning: Talk too much about secrets.
Other Way to Say: spill, talk fast
Alternative Meaning: tell all, not keep quiet
Example: Do not blab my secret.
8. Let the cat out of the bag
Meaning: Tell a secret by mistake.
Other Way to Say: slip up, tell early
Alternative Meaning: share too soon, break secret
Example: She let the cat out of the bag.
9. Big mouth
Meaning: A person who cannot keep secrets.
Other Way to Say: loud talker, secret teller
Alternative Meaning: talks too much, not quiet
Example: He is a big mouth.
10. Pass it on
Meaning: Share news with others.
Other Way to Say: tell others, spread news
Alternative Meaning: share talk, send news
Example: She passed it on to friends.
11. Whisper about
Meaning: Talk quietly about someone.
Other Way to Say: hush talk, soft talk
Alternative Meaning: secret talk, low voice
Example: They whisper about him.
12. Idle talk
Meaning: Talk with no truth.
Other Way to Say: silly talk, empty talk
Alternative Meaning: fake news, not real
Example: That is idle talk.
13. Loose lips
Meaning: Talk too freely.
Other Way to Say: open talk, no filter
Alternative Meaning: say too much, not careful
Example: Loose lips cause trouble.
14. Spill secrets
Meaning: Tell hidden things.
Other Way to Say: share secrets, let out
Alternative Meaning: tell all, open up
Example: He spilled secrets at recess.
15. Talk trash
Meaning: Say mean things.
Other Way to Say: speak bad, rude talk
Alternative Meaning: insult, be mean
Example: Do not talk trash.
16. Gab
Meaning: Talk a lot.
Other Way to Say: chat, talk
Alternative Meaning: chatter, keep talking
Example: They gab after school.
17. Chatter away
Meaning: Talk non-stop.
Other Way to Say: keep talking, nonstop talk
Alternative Meaning: gab, talk fast
Example: She chatters away.
18. Run the rumor mill
Meaning: Keep gossip going.
Other Way to Say: spread talk, keep rumors
Alternative Meaning: pass stories, keep gossip
Example: Kids run the rumor mill.
19. Say behind backs
Meaning: Talk when not there.
Other Way to Say: secret talk, hidden talk
Alternative Meaning: mean talk, quiet talk
Example: Do not say behind backs.
20. Talk smack
Meaning: Say rude things.
Other Way to Say: trash talk, mean talk
Alternative Meaning: insult, rude words
Example: He talks smack.
21. Share dirt
Meaning: Tell bad news about someone.
Other Way to Say: tell gossip, share secrets
Alternative Meaning: say bad things, tell stories
Example: She shared dirt.
22. Blurt out
Meaning: Say something fast.
Other Way to Say: say quick, speak out
Alternative Meaning: spill, not think
Example: He blurted it out.
23. Buzz around
Meaning: News spreads fast.
Other Way to Say: go around, spread fast
Alternative Meaning: travel news, move fast
Example: The news buzzed around.
24. Spread the word
Meaning: Tell many people.
Other Way to Say: share news, tell all
Alternative Meaning: pass info, let people know
Example: She spread the word.
25. Keep talking
Meaning: Talk a lot.
Other Way to Say: chatter, keep chat
Alternative Meaning: not stop, talk more
Example: He keeps talking.
26. Spill tea
Meaning: Share gossip.
Other Way to Say: tell gossip, share news
Alternative Meaning: talk stories, say truth
Example: She spilled the tea.
27. Nosey talk
Meaning: Talk about others’ lives.
Other Way to Say: pry talk, curious talk
Alternative Meaning: ask too much, dig in
Example: That is nosey talk.
28. Talk out loud
Meaning: Say things openly.
Other Way to Say: speak up, say out
Alternative Meaning: not hide, say clear
Example: He talks out loud.
29. Tell tales
Meaning: Share stories, true or not.
Other Way to Say: make stories, tell gossip
Alternative Meaning: share rumors, talk
Example: Do not tell tales.
30. Gossip away
Meaning: Talk a lot about others.
Other Way to Say: chat, gossip
Alternative Meaning: keep talking, share stories
Example: They gossip away.
31. Run off at the mouth
Meaning: Talk too much.
Other Way to Say: ramble, talk nonstop
Alternative Meaning: say too much, blab
Example: He runs off at the mouth.
32. Spread chatter
Meaning: Share small talk.
Other Way to Say: pass talk, share news
Alternative Meaning: light gossip, small talk
Example: Kids spread chatter.
33. Leak news
Meaning: Let news out.
Other Way to Say: spill, share early
Alternative Meaning: tell secret, let out
Example: He leaked news.
34. Pass gossip
Meaning: Share gossip.
Other Way to Say: tell gossip, pass talk
Alternative Meaning: spread rumors, share
Example: She passed gossip.
35. Whisper news
Meaning: Share news softly.
Other Way to Say: hush talk, quiet share
Alternative Meaning: secret talk, low voice
Example: They whisper news.
36. Talk low
Meaning: Speak softly about others.
Other Way to Say: whisper, hush talk
Alternative Meaning: quiet talk, secret talk
Example: They talk low.
37. Say too much
Meaning: Share more than needed.
Other Way to Say: over talk, blab
Alternative Meaning: spill, talk extra
Example: He said too much.
38. Spread stories
Meaning: Share tales.
Other Way to Say: tell stories, gossip
Alternative Meaning: pass talk, share news
Example: She spreads stories.
39. Pass secrets
Meaning: Share secrets.
Other Way to Say: tell secrets, spill
Alternative Meaning: let out, share
Example: He passed secrets.
40. Talk fast
Meaning: Say things quickly.
Other Way to Say: rush talk, quick speak
Alternative Meaning: blurt, spill
Example: She talks fast.
41. Tell on others
Meaning: Share what others did.
Other Way to Say: report, tell
Alternative Meaning: share info, speak up
Example: He told on others.
42. Share talk
Meaning: Pass words around.
Other Way to Say: spread, tell
Alternative Meaning: share gossip, pass news
Example: They share talk.
43. Carry tales
Meaning: Bring stories from one to another.
Other Way to Say: pass stories, gossip
Alternative Meaning: tell news, share talk
Example: Do not carry tales.
44. Talk in secret
Meaning: Speak privately.
Other Way to Say: whisper, hush talk
Alternative Meaning: quiet talk, hidden talk
Example: They talk in secret.
45. Spread news fast
Meaning: Share quickly.
Other Way to Say: rush news, fast talk
Alternative Meaning: quick share, pass fast
Example: Kids spread news fast.
46. Talk behind doors
Meaning: Speak in private.
Other Way to Say: secret talk, hidden talk
Alternative Meaning: quiet talk, hush
Example: They talk behind doors.
47. Tell stories about
Meaning: Talk about others.
Other Way to Say: gossip, share stories
Alternative Meaning: talk, say things
Example: They tell stories about him.
48. Talk all day
Meaning: Talk a lot.
Other Way to Say: chatter, gab
Alternative Meaning: nonstop talk, keep going
Example: She talks all day.
49. Spread talk
Meaning: Share talk.
Other Way to Say: pass words, share
Alternative Meaning: gossip, tell news
Example: He spreads talk.
50. Talk in corners
Meaning: Talk quietly in groups.
Other Way to Say: whisper, hush talk
Alternative Meaning: secret chat, quiet talk
Example: Kids talk in corners.
51. Share whispers
Meaning: Pass quiet talk.
Other Way to Say: whisper, hush share
Alternative Meaning: secret talk, low talk
Example: They share whispers.
52. Pass chatter
Meaning: Share small talk.
Other Way to Say: chatter, talk
Alternative Meaning: gossip, light talk
Example: She passed chatter.
53. Tell little secrets
Meaning: Share small secrets.
Other Way to Say: spill, share
Alternative Meaning: tell, let out
Example: He told little secrets.
54. Talk soft
Meaning: Speak quietly.
Other Way to Say: whisper, hush
Alternative Meaning: low talk, quiet voice
Example: They talk soft.
55. Say things around
Meaning: Talk to many people.
Other Way to Say: spread, share
Alternative Meaning: pass talk, tell all
Example: He says things around.
56. Talk again and again
Meaning: Repeat gossip.
Other Way to Say: repeat, keep saying
Alternative Meaning: share again, tell more
Example: She talks again and again.
57. Share secrets fast
Meaning: Tell quickly.
Other Way to Say: rush, spill
Alternative Meaning: blurt, say fast
Example: He shares secrets fast.
58. Talk too loud
Meaning: Speak so all hear.
Other Way to Say: shout, loud talk
Alternative Meaning: not quiet, open talk
Example: She talks too loud.
59. Pass words around
Meaning: Share talk widely.
Other Way to Say: spread, share
Alternative Meaning: gossip, tell
Example: They pass words around.
60. Talk about others
Meaning: Speak about people.
Other Way to Say: gossip, chat
Alternative Meaning: share stories, talk
Example: They talk about others.
61. Say it out
Meaning: Speak openly.
Other Way to Say: tell, speak up
Alternative Meaning: share, say
Example: He said it out.
62. Share news around
Meaning: Tell many people.
Other Way to Say: spread, pass
Alternative Meaning: share, tell
Example: She shares news around.
20 Fill in the Blanks: “Idioms for Gossip”
- Jake could not keep the secret and _________ about the surprise party at school.
- Mia likes to _________ and tell stories about other kids at lunch.
- Ben heard the news through the _________ from his friends on the bus.
- Sara did not mean to _________ the cat out of the bag about the trip.
- Tom has a big mouth and will _________ your secret.
- The kids started to _________ rumors about the new student.
- Lily and Emma _________ behind Ava’s back during recess.
- My brother likes to _________ the beans about family plans.
- The class began to _________ chatter about the test.
- He _________ it out before thinking in class.
- The news began to _________ around the school quickly.
- She likes to _________ the tea with her friends after school.
- The boys _________ talk in the hallway about the game.
- Do not _________ tales about your classmates.
- The kids _________ gossip during lunch time.
- He started to _________ off at the mouth during practice.
- Please do not _________ secrets you hear at home.
- They _________ whispers in the library.
- She likes to _________ the word about school events.
- He _________ too much and shared the surprise gift idea.
Answers
- spilled the beans
- gossip away
- grapevine
- let
- spill
- spread
- talked
- spill
- spread
- blurted
- buzz
- spill
- share
- tell
- pass
- run
- pass
- share
- spread
- Said
Conclusion
Gossip is common in daily life. People talk and share news. Idioms help us talk in a fun way. They make speech easy and clear. When you know these idioms, you can understand others better.
It is good to be kind with words. Do not share secrets that can hurt someone. Use these idioms in a smart way. This will help you speak well and be a good friend.
