set tongues wagging
Meaning: To cause people to gossip.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “Their arriving at the party together set tongues wagging.”
Category: Body & Senses
Origin: A "wagging tongue" has meant a chattering, gossiping one since Middle English. When the full phrase first appeared has not been traced.
Equivalents in other languages
- French: Cela va faire du bruit dans Landerneau — literally: That will make noise in Landerneau
More idioms — Body & Senses
- twiddle one's thumbs — To do nothing while waiting or out of boredom.
- have a free hand — To have freedom to act as one sees fit.
- take a load off someone's mind — To relieve someone of a worry.
- hand in hand — Closely together; in close association.
- kicking and screaming — Very reluctantly, protesting all the way.
- lie through one's teeth — To lie openly and shamelessly.
More English idioms
- rough around the edges — Lacking polish or refinement, though basically good.
- smoke the peace pipe — To make peace after a quarrel.
- seize the day — Make the most of the present moment.
- bow and scrape — To behave in an overly humble or flattering way toward someone powerful.
- give free rein — To give someone complete freedom to act.
- jump ship — To abandon a group or cause, often for a rival.
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- Unique New York. — Three words that jam the 'y/n/k' sequence together — repeat it and it collapses into 'you…