tattletale
B1-B2Informal, chiefly North American. Common in colloquial speech, children's contexts, and light-hearted adult reprimand.
Definition
Meaning
A person, especially a child, who reveals the secrets or misbehaviour of others to an authority figure, often to get them in trouble.
Can refer to any informer or betrayer of confidential information; implies petty, annoying, or sneaky reporting. In computing, a 'tattletale bit' or flag indicates an error or state change.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Strongly pejorative when used by peers; conveys disapproval of disloyal or sneaky behaviour. When used by adults about children, can be mildly scolding but not deeply offensive. Less severe than 'traitor' or 'snitch' in criminal contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Primarily North American. The UK equivalent is more commonly 'tell-tale' (as a noun: 'He's a tell-tale'; as a compound adjective: 'a tell-tale sign'). 'Tattletale' is understood in the UK but sounds distinctly American.
Connotations
In the US, strongly associated with schoolyard dynamics and sibling rivalry. In the UK, 'tell-tale' carries similar connotations but can feel slightly more old-fashioned or literary.
Frequency
High frequency in US informal speech, especially involving children. Low frequency in UK English, where 'tell-tale', 'grass' (UK slang), or 'snitch' are more common.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Person] is a tattletale.Don't be a tattletale.[Person] tattletaled on [Person2] to [Authority].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Tattletale tit, your tongue shall be slit, and all the dogs in town shall have a little bit. (nursery rhyme)”
- “The tattletale gray (archaic: a colour that reveals secrets).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might be used metaphorically for an employee who reports minor protocol breaches to management in a petty way.
Academic
Very rare, except in sociology/psychology discussing child development or peer dynamics.
Everyday
Common in family and school contexts. "Mom, Ben took a cookie!" "Stop tattletaling!"
Technical
In computing: a 'tattletale bit/flag' signals a specific state (e.g., error, overflow).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He's always tattling to the teacher.
- She tattled on her brother for breaking the vase.
American English
- Quit tattling on your friends!
- I'm going to tattle if you don't share.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- He had a tell-tale smear of chocolate on his cheek. (Note: UK uses 'tell-tale' as adjective.)
American English
- She gave him a tattletale glance before running to the principal. (Less common as adjective.)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My sister is a tattletale.
- Don't be a tattletale!
- The kids called him a tattletale after he told the coach they were late.
- I felt like a tattletale telling the boss about the mistake, but it was important.
- The political operative was dismissed as a mere tattletale, but her revelations proved crucial.
- The system has a tattletale flag that activates if memory usage exceeds 90%.
- Her reputation as a tattletale in primary school hauntingly prefigured her career as an investigative journalist, blurring the line between social betrayal and civic duty.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the sound: 'tattle-tale' - it sounds like someone's tongue is rattling (tattling) to tell a tale (story) about someone else.
Conceptual Metaphor
INFORMING IS TELLING A STORY / BETRAYAL IS A CHILDISH ACT.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'сказочник' (storyteller/fabulist). The pejorative meaning is key. Closer to 'ябеда' (childish tell-tale), 'доносчик' (formal informant), or 'стукач' (slang snitch).
Common Mistakes
- Using it in formal writing.
- Confusing it with 'tattle' (the verb). 'Tattletale' is primarily a noun.
- Overusing in UK contexts where 'tell-tale' is more idiomatic.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'tattletale' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, when applied to a person. It implies the informing is petty, sneaky, or done for personal gain/attention, not for justice. A 'whistle-blower' is the positive counterpart.
Yes, but it's often humorous or deliberately infantilizing, suggesting the adult is behaving childishly by reporting minor issues.
Both are pejorative. 'Tattletale' is strongly associated with children and minor secrets. 'Snitch' is more general, can be used in serious adult/criminal contexts, and is often harsher.
Yes, 'to tattle' (on someone). 'Tattletale' is primarily the noun for the person who tattles.