A 'tail-bearer' is a person who carries tales or gossip, especially malicious or damaging information, to someone in authority or to the subject of the gossip. They often aim to gain favor or advantage by relaying this information. This behavior is typically viewed negatively, implying untrustworthiness and a lack of loyalty. The 'tail-bearer' might twist or exaggerate the information to maximize its impact and create conflict or discord. Their actions undermine relationships and erode trust between individuals and groups.
Tail-bearer meaning with examples
- During the team meeting, Sarah acted like a tail-bearer, informing the manager about every minor mistake her colleagues made. This constant tattling created tension and made her teammates distrust her motives, hindering collaborative efforts. Her actions, driven by a desire for personal advancement, damaged the team's cohesiveness and fostered an environment of fear.
- The court jester was a tail-bearer for the king, whispering secrets of the kingdom and the flaws of the nobles. He used the position to cause problems amongst court members for his own personal amusement, creating a network of espionage that kept the king engaged and the court in fear of each other.
- Driven by envy, Mark became a tail-bearer, constantly sharing disparaging remarks and false allegations about his coworkers' performances. He would deliberately misconstrue minor missteps to make his colleagues appear incompetent, hoping to rise in the company hierarchy by making others appear weak.
- Gossip often described him as a tail-bearer, constantly running between different cliques and sharing secrets to gain acceptance in both groups. This constant back and forth earned him a reputation for being unreliable and opportunistic. His double dealing and deceit were soon caught and nobody trusted anything he would say.
- The political advisor earned the label of tail-bearer, relaying strategic rumors and manipulated information about the opposition to his candidate. His tactics involved exaggeration and fabrication that led to a bitter and divisive campaign. His actions damaged public trust and the integrity of the election.