Tattle

To tattle means to reveal private or secret information, especially about other people's misdeeds or personal matters, often without significant consequences or due cause. It typically involves telling an authority figure, such as a parent, teacher, or supervisor, about someone else's actions or words. Tattling is often viewed negatively because it can be seen as a breach of trust, an attempt to get someone else in trouble, or a childish behavior. The act usually carries the connotation of being petty, spiteful, or self-serving. It may involve exaggerating or distorting the truth. It is common among young children, but it is occasionally seen in adults. It's a form of communication aimed at informing someone of the perceived wrongdoing of another, with the implied intent of intervention or punishment. The motivation for tattling can range from a desire for attention to genuine concern over rule violations, to petty jealousy.

Tattle meaning with examples

• Little Timmy tattled on his sister for sneaking cookies before dinner. He eagerly reported her actions to their mother, hoping she would be reprimanded. His motives were a mix of enforcing rules and gaining a sense of superiority. This often led to arguments.
• During the office meeting, Sarah tattled about her colleague's tardiness, hoping it would reflect badly on the coworker and possibly help her advance in her position. Her colleagues were frustrated. This was not the first time, nor was it the last time.
• The children, bored during the long car ride, started tattling on each other, reporting every minor infraction to their parents - a spilled juice, a stolen toy, a crossing of an imaginary line within the car. Their parents, exhausted, pleaded for peace.
• Despite the school's efforts to encourage independence, students continued to tattle on each other about minor rule infractions, such as talking out of turn or forgetting to put away their materials. The teachers tried different techniques.
• He found himself constantly tattling on the neighborhood kids, telling his parents about the games they played in the street and the noise they made, perhaps a result of social anxiety. His mother always reminded him to solve the problems himself.