In today’s lesson, I’m sharing 14 gossip idioms and phrases that you can use when you’re sharing secrets and gossiping with your friends or colleagues!
We all know we’re not really supposed to gossip or spread rumours, but sometimes the secret we’ve heard is just too good not to share 😉 so here are some nice expresssions you can use:
Gossip Idioms & Phrases
Watch the video below or keep reading to see contextualised examples:
GUESS WHAT? / YOU DIDN’T HEAR IT FROM ME
Guess what….Tony’s been fired and we’re getting a new manager next week!
Seriously?!
Yep, but you didn’t hear it from me, ok?
DISH THE DIRT / JUICY DETAILS
Come on then… Dish the dirt! How was your date last night?
I’m not saying anything!
Go on! I want all the juicy details!
I HEARD ON THE GRAPEVINE THAT…
I heard on the grapevine that Ben is having an affair with Carla!
Seriously?! Do you think it’s true?!
KEEP IT TO YOURSELF / FIND OUT
Zoe is moving to Australia next month
Really?
Mmm, but keep it to yourself. She doesn’t want her Mum to find out yet.
I HEARD IT STRAIGHT FROM THE HORSE’S MOUTH
Tina’s going to divorce her husband!
That can’t be true!
It is! I heard it straight from the horse’s mouth. Tina told me herself on Friday!
APPARENTLY / MY LIPS ARE SEALED
Apparently, management are planning to make 10 people redundant but don’t say anything, ok?
My lips are sealed!
A LITTLE BIRD TOLD ME / LET ME GUESS
A little bird told me it’s your birthday today!
Let me guess – My Mum!
I HEARD / IT’S JUST A RUMOUR
I heard Graham is being sued for tax fraud.
I heard that too but it’s just a rumour, I’m sure.
Well, let’s wait and see!
Which is your favourite?
Have you got a favourite gossip idiom or phrase from those mini conversations? Is there one you use in YOUR language?
Let me know in the comments below 👇😊
8 Responses
I like the ones for introducing the gossip or rumour, like ‘I heard…’ and ‘apparently…’
Thanks for the nice set of vocabulary Nicki!
Yes! Those are so useful Lou! Thanks for the feedback 😊
Hi Nicki
Thanks for sharing with us these useful idioms to talk about gossiping.The idiom that is part of my daily speech is ”a little bird told me”,though all of them are important.
Thanks again for the idioms and the amazing way of learing them that you’ve intronducerd to me.
Ah, you’re very welcome Fitim! I’m so glad you found this method and the idioms useful.
Thanks you for sharing your thoughts with us 😊
Hi Nicki,
A little bird told me…that makes me think of the expression in French : mon petit doigt m’a dit…
And my leaps are sealed…rester bouche bée
So very interesting and funny!
Ah, I’m glad these idioms made you smile Eric 😊 (Oh, I noticed a typo, lips)
They sound so beautiful in French! Thank you for sharing the translations with us!
Hi Nicky,
This lesson is a ray of sunshine in this rainy day😀. It’s really a very good moment. I watch the video I smile and I learn “that’s great ! thanks a lot.
My favourite “dish the dirt”…and ” I want the juicy details” and just after “a little bird told me/ let me guess..
😏.
In fact, with all idioms I imagine situations.
to finish th comment, I think some secrets are open secrets but “my lips are sealed”🤐
best wishes.
Haha, your comment really made ME smile Anne! 😁
I’m so happy I cheered you up on a rainy day and that you enjoyed/learnt some new phrases!