Search
Select the dictionary language
to tell tales out of school
01
to share information that is secret or private
Idiom
Informal
What is the origin of the idiom "tell tales out of school" and when to use it?
The idiom "tell tales out of school" originated from the practice of children sharing information or stories outside the school environment. It refers to the act of revealing or spreading gossip, secrets, or sensitive information that should remain within the confines of a specific group or context. The phrase is used to emphasize the idea of breaching trust or violating a code of confidentiality by divulging details or stories that were meant to be kept private within a particular community, such as a school or close-knit group.
Examples
You mean Fred? The guy who always tells tales outside school?
