In the USA, talking about others when they aren’t around happens more often than we like to admit. This is called gossip. Sometimes it’s just silly stories, but other times it can be hurtful. Americans use many fun and clever phrases—called idioms—to talk about gossip. These phrases help explain how people share news or secrets in ways that sound more interesting.
Idioms about gossip are used in TV shows, school hallways, and even by adults at work. These expressions make conversations more colorful and easier to understand. In this article, we’ll explore some common idioms Americans use when talking about gossip. They’ll help you know what others mean when they say things like “spill the beans” or “heard it through the grapevine.” Let’s take a closer look.
Idioms About Gossip
1. Spill the beans
Meaning: To tell a secret
Example Sentence:
• Sarah spilled the beans about the surprise party.
• He spilled the beans and now everyone knows the answer.
Other ways to say: Tell a secret, let it out
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from voting in ancient Greece, where beans were used in jars. Spilling them ruined the secret.
Usage: Used when someone tells something they were supposed to keep quiet.
2. Let the cat out of the bag
Meaning: To share a secret by accident
Example Sentence:
• She let the cat out of the bag about the gift.
• I let the cat out of the bag and ruined the surprise.
Other ways to say: Slip up, reveal a secret
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from markets in the past, where people were tricked into buying a bag with a cat instead of a pig.
Usage: Used when someone shares something they shouldn’t have.
3. Heard it through the grapevine
Meaning: To hear gossip from others, not directly
Example Sentence:
• I heard through the grapevine that our teacher is moving.
• He found out through the grapevine that his friend got in trouble.
Other ways to say: Rumor has it, word got around
Fun Fact/Origin: From Civil War times when telegraph wires looked like grapevines.
Usage: Used when news spreads informally.
4. Dish the dirt
Meaning: To gossip or share bad things about someone
Example Sentence:
• She loves to dish the dirt about celebrities.
• They were dishing the dirt on classmates during lunch.
Other ways to say: Talk behind someone’s back, gossip
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from newspapers that “dished out” news.
Usage: Often used when sharing mean or juicy details.
5. Talk behind someone’s back
Meaning: To say things about someone without them knowing
Example Sentence:
• It’s rude to talk behind someone’s back.
• They were whispering and talking behind her back.
Other ways to say: Gossip, say mean things secretly
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea of saying things when someone isn’t looking.
Usage: Used when someone gossips secretly.
6. Spill the tea
Meaning: To share gossip
Example Sentence:
• Come sit and spill the tea—I want to know everything.
• She spilled the tea about the fight at school.
Other ways to say: Share the drama, tell me the news
Fun Fact/Origin: Popular in American pop culture, especially among teens.
Usage: Used casually when sharing fun or surprising news.
7. Blabbermouth
Meaning: Someone who talks too much and shares secrets
Example Sentence:
• Don’t tell her—she’s a blabbermouth.
• He’s such a blabbermouth, he told everyone.
Other ways to say: Big mouth, chatterbox
Fun Fact/Origin: “Blabber” means talk a lot; “mouth” makes it funnier.
Usage: Describes someone who can’t keep a secret.
8. Drop a bombshell
Meaning: To say something shocking or surprising
Example Sentence:
• He dropped a bombshell about quitting school.
• She dropped a bombshell during dinner.
Other ways to say: Say something shocking, surprise everyone
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea of a bomb making a loud impact.
Usage: Used when someone shares big or surprising news.
9. Behind closed doors
Meaning: Happening in secret
Example Sentence:
• They made the decision behind closed doors.
• All the planning happened behind closed doors.
Other ways to say: In private, secretly
Fun Fact/Origin: From the idea that private things happen behind a door.
Usage: Used for secret conversations or meetings.
10. Put in one’s two cents
Meaning: To give an opinion, often not asked for
Example Sentence:
• She put in her two cents about the fight.
• I just wanted to put in my two cents.
Other ways to say: Share your view, say something
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from betting games where people gave small coins.
Usage: Used when someone adds a comment, even if not needed.
11. Rumor mill
Meaning: A place or group where gossip spreads
Example Sentence:
• The rumor mill at school never stops.
• He heard it from the rumor mill.
Other ways to say: Gossip circle, talk going around
Fun Fact/Origin: Like a machine that never stops turning.
Usage: Used when gossip spreads quickly.
12. Blow the whistle
Meaning: To tell on someone or reveal something wrong
Example Sentence:
• He blew the whistle on the cheating.
• Someone blew the whistle on the plan.
Other ways to say: Tattle, report
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from referees who blow whistles to stop games.
Usage: Used when someone exposes secret or bad actions.
13. Have a big mouth
Meaning: To talk too much and tell secrets
Example Sentence:
• Don’t trust him, he has a big mouth.
• She has a big mouth and can’t stay quiet.
Other ways to say: Blabbermouth, can’t keep a secret
Fun Fact/Origin: From the idea that people with “big mouths” talk too much.
Usage: Describes someone who tells what they shouldn’t.
14. The talk of the town
Meaning: Something or someone everyone is gossiping about
Example Sentence:
• Her dress was the talk of the town.
• The prank became the talk of the town.
Other ways to say: Big news, everyone’s talking about it
Fun Fact/Origin: Used when one topic gets everyone’s attention in a place.
Usage: Used for popular gossip.
15. Loose lips sink ships
Meaning: Talking too much can cause problems
Example Sentence:
• Be careful what you say—loose lips sink ships.
• He warned us, loose lips sink ships.
Other ways to say: Keep quiet, don’t share secrets
Fun Fact/Origin: Used during World War II to remind people not to share secrets.
Usage: Warns against gossip or sharing sensitive info.
16. Gossip queen
Meaning: A person who loves to gossip
Example Sentence:
• She’s the gossip queen of the school.
• That gossip queen knows everyone’s business.
Other ways to say: Drama lover, chatterbox
Fun Fact/Origin: The term “queen” adds a playful tone to the name.
Usage: Usually used for girls or women who spread gossip.
17. Chew the fat
Meaning: To talk casually, often including gossip
Example Sentence:
• We sat and chewed the fat after school.
• The neighbors were chewing the fat again.
Other ways to say: Chat, gab
Fun Fact/Origin: Came from sailors talking while chewing on salty meat.
Usage: Used when people talk a lot, sometimes about others.
18. Tattle-tale
Meaning: A person who tells on others
Example Sentence:
• Don’t be a tattle-tale.
• She’s a tattle-tale and tells the teacher everything.
Other ways to say: Snitch, informer
Fun Fact/Origin: Often used for kids who report little things.
Usage: Usually describes children who tell on others.
19. Dig up dirt
Meaning: To find and share bad things about someone
Example Sentence:
• The reporter dug up dirt on the mayor.
• She’s always trying to dig up dirt on people.
Other ways to say: Expose secrets, find bad info
Fun Fact/Origin: “Dirt” means harmful or bad information.
Usage: Used when someone looks for gossip on purpose.
20. Be in the know
Meaning: To be well-informed about gossip or news
Example Sentence:
• She’s always in the know about school drama.
• If you want to be in the know, talk to Jake.
Other ways to say: Be informed, stay updated
Fun Fact/Origin: “Know” means you have the latest info.
Usage: Used for people who are always up-to-date.
21. Spread like wildfire
Meaning: Gossip that spreads very quickly
Example Sentence:
• The rumor spread like wildfire.
• News of the prank spread like wildfire through the school.
Other ways to say: Spread fast, go viral
Fun Fact/Origin: Wildfires move quickly and grow fast—like gossip.
Usage: Used when news or rumors move quickly between people.
22. A little bird told me
Meaning: Said when you don’t want to name the source
Example Sentence:
• A little bird told me you like Alex.
• A little bird told me someone’s in trouble.
Other ways to say: Someone told me, I heard
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from old fairy tales where birds spoke secrets.
Usage: Used when you heard something but don’t want to say who told you.
23. In one ear and out the other
Meaning: To not listen carefully to gossip or talk
Example Sentence:
• I don’t care about rumors—it goes in one ear and out the other.
• The gossip didn’t matter; it went in one ear and out the other.
Other ways to say: Ignore it, don’t listen
Fun Fact/Origin: Based on how people forget things fast.
Usage: Used when someone doesn’t care about or remember what they heard.
24. Talk of the school
Meaning: The thing everyone is talking about at school
Example Sentence:
• Her new haircut was the talk of the school.
• The talent show became the talk of the school.
Other ways to say: School gossip, school news
Fun Fact/Origin: A fun spin-off of “talk of the town.”
Usage: Used by kids when something becomes very popular.
25. Keep it under wraps
Meaning: To keep something a secret
Example Sentence:
• Keep the surprise party under wraps.
• He asked us to keep it under wraps.
Other ways to say: Keep it quiet, don’t tell
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from wrapping gifts or hiding items.
Usage: Used when something should stay a secret.
26. Be all ears
Meaning: To listen closely to gossip or news
Example Sentence:
• Tell me—I’m all ears!
• The kids were all ears during the story.
Other ways to say: Listening closely, paying attention
Fun Fact/Origin: Means someone is ready to hear everything.
Usage: Used when someone wants to hear details.
27. Shoot the breeze
Meaning: To talk casually, often with gossip
Example Sentence:
• They were shooting the breeze on the porch.
• We shot the breeze after lunch.
Other ways to say: Chat, talk
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from country slang about talking with no purpose.
Usage: Used when people are having light, fun talks.
28. Keep one’s lips sealed
Meaning: To keep a secret
Example Sentence:
• I promised to keep my lips sealed.
• She kept her lips sealed about the plan.
Other ways to say: Stay quiet, don’t tell
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea of locking your mouth.
Usage: Used when someone promises not to gossip.
29. Talk a blue streak
Meaning: To talk very fast, often gossiping
Example Sentence:
• She talked a blue streak about what happened.
• He talks a blue streak when he’s excited.
Other ways to say: Talk nonstop, chatter
Fun Fact/Origin: “Blue streak” once meant lightning-fast.
Usage: Used when someone can’t stop talking.
30. Catch wind of
Meaning: To hear gossip or news
Example Sentence:
• I caught wind of the new rule.
• She caught wind of the secret plan.
Other ways to say: Hear, find out
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from animals picking up scents in the wind.
Usage: Used when someone hears something new or secret.
31. Badmouth someone
Meaning: To say mean things about someone
Example Sentence:
• Don’t badmouth others—it’s mean.
• He was badmouthing her behind her back.
Other ways to say: Talk trash, insult
Fun Fact/Origin: Uses “mouth” to mean speaking badly.
Usage: Used when someone says hurtful gossip.
32. The word on the street
Meaning: What people are saying or gossiping about
Example Sentence:
• The word on the street is that a new teacher is coming.
• The word on the street is that there’s a secret club.
Other ways to say: Rumor, what people say
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from urban slang about local gossip.
Usage: Used when sharing what’s being talked about.
33. Loose tongue
Meaning: Someone who talks too freely
Example Sentence:
• He has a loose tongue—don’t tell him secrets.
• Her loose tongue got her in trouble.
Other ways to say: Talks too much, slips up
Fun Fact/Origin: Suggests their tongue moves without thinking.
Usage: Used for people who say things they shouldn’t.
34. Behind someone’s back
Meaning: To talk without the person knowing
Example Sentence:
• They talked behind his back after he left.
• That rumor started behind her back.
Other ways to say: Secretly, without permission
Fun Fact/Origin: From doing something while someone isn’t looking.
Usage: Often used with gossip that’s unkind.
35. Talk nineteen to the dozen
Meaning: To speak quickly and a lot
Example Sentence:
• She talks nineteen to the dozen when excited.
• He talks nineteen to the dozen about everything.
Other ways to say: Chatter fast, nonstop talking
Fun Fact/Origin: Old British saying that spread to America.
Usage: Used when someone speaks without pause.
36. Spread rumors
Meaning: To tell untrue stories
Example Sentence:
• Don’t spread rumors about people.
• He got in trouble for spreading rumors.
Other ways to say: Make up stories, lie
Fun Fact/Origin: “Rumor” means unconfirmed talk.
Usage: Used when someone says something that might not be true.
37. Be full of hot air
Meaning: To talk a lot with little truth
Example Sentence:
• He’s full of hot air—don’t believe him.
• That story was full of hot air.
Other ways to say: Exaggerate, make stuff up
Fun Fact/Origin: Hot air rises but doesn’t do much—just like false talk.
Usage: Used when someone exaggerates during gossip.
38. Gossip travels fast
Meaning: News or gossip spreads quickly
Example Sentence:
• Gossip travels fast in small towns.
• It didn’t take long—gossip travels fast.
Other ways to say: Word spreads fast, news flies
Fun Fact/Origin: Matches how fast people pass stories in school or work.
Usage: Used when rumors or news get around quickly.
Quiz: Idioms About Gossip
Choose the best answer for each question. Think about how gossip works in real life and match it with the idiom.
Question Key
1. What does “spill the beans” mean?
a) To cook dinner
b) To tell a secret
c) To clean up a mess
2. If someone “lets the cat out of the bag,” what did they do?
a) Gave someone a pet
b) Played a trick
c) Accidentally told a secret
3. What does “blabbermouth” mean?
a) Someone who sings a lot
b) Someone who talks too much and shares secrets
c) Someone who likes to sleep
4. If something “spread like wildfire,” what happened?
a) It burned something
b) It got boring quickly
c) It spread fast to many people
5. What does “keep it under wraps” mean?
a) To hide under a blanket
b) To keep a secret
c) To give someone a gift
6. If someone is “talking behind your back,” what are they doing?
a) Complimenting you in public
b) Playing a game with you
c) Saying things about you when you’re not around
7. What does it mean to be “in the know”?
a) To know the latest gossip
b) To be left out
c) To ignore everything
8. What is a “tattle-tale”?
a) Someone who helps others
b) Someone who tells on others
c) Someone who writes stories
9. If you “catch wind of” something, what happened?
a) You got sick from the cold
b) You started running
c) You heard a secret or rumor
10. What does “keep one’s lips sealed” mean?
a) Not talk about a secret
b) Put on lip balm
c) Sing a song
11. What does “drop a bombshell” mean?
a) Drop a heavy object
b) Say something shocking or surprising
c) Tell a joke
12. If someone is “full of hot air,” what are they doing?
a) Telling silly or untrue stories
b) Breathing deeply
c) Sitting in the sun
13. What does “rumor mill” mean?
a) A machine that makes flour
b) A place where rumors spread
c) A type of movie
Answer Key
- b) To tell a secret
- c) Accidentally told a secret
- b) Someone who talks too much and shares secrets
- c) It spread fast to many people
- b) To keep a secret
- c) Saying things about you when you’re not around
- a) To know the latest gossip
- b) Someone who tells on others
- c) You heard a secret or rumor
- a) Not talk about a secret
- b) Say something shocking or surprising
- a) Telling silly or untrue stories
- b) A place where rumors spread
Wrapping Up
Gossip is part of everyday life in the USA. It happens in schools, at home, and even online. While it can seem fun, it’s important to remember that spreading rumors can hurt people. Learning these idioms helps you understand what others mean and lets you talk in ways that sound more natural to Americans.
These phrases are used all over the country. Now that you know them, you can spot gossip when it happens and choose your words wisely. Speaking kindly is always the better choice—even when the tea is hot.
