A tell-taler is an individual, typically a child, who reveals the misdeeds, secrets, or transgressions of others to an authority figure or those in power. This act is usually motivated by a desire for personal gain (like avoiding punishment or gaining favor), a sense of justice (believing others should be held accountable), or simply the need for attention. The term carries a negative connotation, implying a lack of loyalty, trustworthiness, and a willingness to betray the confidences of others. Tell-taling is often considered socially undesirable, particularly among peers, as it can disrupt group dynamics and create animosity. The act itself often involves sharing information that, while potentially true, might cause harm or create unfair consequences for the individuals involved. This behavior is frequently observed in childhood environments like schools and playgrounds, but can also manifest in adult relationships, workplaces, and online communities.
Tell-taler meaning with examples
- During recess, little Timmy, notorious for being a tell-taler, immediately ran to the teacher after seeing Mark and Sarah playing a game slightly outside the designated area. Timmy knew he would be exempt from getting into trouble if he revealed their minor infraction. His classmates often excluded him because of these actions, which often ruined their fun.
- The children were building a secret clubhouse, but Sally, the resident tell-taler, couldn't resist informing the class bully of their hidden location. Sally's goal was to ingratiate herself with him to avoid becoming the bully's next target. The clubhouse was destroyed, and friendships were broken because of Sally's actions.
- At work, David, acting as a tell-taler, consistently reported his colleagues' minor mistakes to the supervisor in an effort to make himself look better by comparison and curry favor for promotions. This practice fostered a toxic work environment where trust was low, and team spirit diminished considerably.
- Despite promising to keep the secret, Emily, the school's resident tell-taler, blurted out about the surprise birthday party planned for their teacher to gain extra validation. As a result, the surprise was ruined, and several students felt betrayed. She later defended her actions and claimed she was only following the rule of always telling the truth.
- In a popular online gaming community, several players became very annoyed with a tell-taler who constantly exposed the strategies and hiding places of the other players to the opposing team, which undermined the integrity of the game and created considerable resentment against the player in the community.