tongue wagging
Idle chatter spreading
Tongue wagging is idle chatter or gossip, especially the kind that spreads through a community: Her sudden departure set tongues wagging.
The image is of tongues moving freely and indiscriminately, like a dog's tail.
The phrase often implies speculation about scandal or impropriety.
- gossipInformal talk spreading rumors
- chatterLight, rapid speech
- rumorUnconfirmed circulating story
- rumor millInformal gossip network
- blabbingCarelessly sharing secrets
prattle · chitchat · small talk · scandal · whispers · behind closed doors · busybody · gabbing · tittle-tattle · spilling tea · hearsay · loose lips · loose talk · jabber · nattering · spreading · meddling · nosy
discretion
tongue waggingdiscretion
Careful judgment in speech
confidentiality · keeping secrets · secrecy · circumspection · sealed lips
verbal restraint
tongue waggingsilence
Total lack of sound
quietude · taciturnity · muteness · saying nothing · quietness