talk of the town

/tˈɔːk ɒvðə tˈaʊn/

/tˈɔːk ʌvðə tˈaʊn/

talk of the town

something or someone that is currently the subject of a lot of gossip and discussion among the people in a particular community or social circle

synonyms : talk

What is the origin of the idiom "talk of the town" and when to use it?

The origin of the phrase "talk of the town" likely dates back to the 18th or 19th century in England. It may have originally referred to a situation where a person or event was the focus of gossip or rumor within a small town or village, and the phrase gradually came to be used more broadly to describe any situation where a topic was the subject of widespread attention and discussion. The idiom implies that the topic in question is the focus of much attention and conversation, and that it is a source of curiosity or excitement for those involved.

Examples

1. The new gadget was the talk of the town, but after a week, people stopped being interested.

2. The school's upcoming dance has become the talk of the town, with students excitedly discussing their outfits and plans for the evening.

3. The recent election and its results have been the talk of the town, with people discussing the impact on the community and the country as a whole.

4. You become the talk of the town.

Nearby words