tales Idiom, Proverb
tell tales out of school
Idiom(s): tell tales out of school
Theme: GOSSIP
to tell secrets or spread rumors.
• I wish that John would keep quiet. He's telling tales out of school again.
• If you tell tales out of school a lot, people won't know when to believe you.
Dead men tell no tales
A dead person cannot cause difficulties by revealing something that it would be preferable to conceal.
tell tales out of school|out of school|school|tale
v. phr. To tell something that is secret; tell others something that is not meant to be known. Don't tell Jane anything. She is always telling tales out of school.
Compare: LET THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG, SPILL THE BEANS.
tell tales
tell tales
Divulge secrets, as in Don't trust him; he's apt to tell tales. This expression was first recorded about 1350. A variant, tell tales out of school, first recorded in 1530, presumably alluded to schoolchildren gossiping but was soon broadened to revealing secret or private information. Both may be obsolescent.
An tales idiom dictionary is a great resource for writers, students, and anyone looking to expand their vocabulary. It contains a list of words with similar meanings with tales, allowing users to choose the best word for their specific context.
Dictionary of similar words, Different wording, Synonyms, Idioms for Idiom, Proverb tales