kiss and tell
To betray a confidence by disclosing private information, especially of a sexual nature.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“He is not the type to kiss and tell.”
“She felt betrayed when her former partner decided to kiss and tell on a popular podcast.”
“Despite the intense pressure from the tabloid press, he maintained his dignity and refused to kiss and tell about his private life.”
- 01
a little bird told me
I received the information from a source which I am not prepared to disclose.
- 02
all told
With everything included, counted, or summed; in total.
- 03
betray with a kiss
To betray someone in a seemingly inconspicuous or innocuous manner.
- 04
blow a kiss
To kiss one's own hand, then blow on it in a direction towards the recipient.
- 05
don't tell me
Used to introduce a guess at a fact or situation, as if forestalling the other speaker's utterance.
- 06
hugs and kisses
An informal way to end a letter, email etc. to a loved one.
- 07
I can tell you
Emphasises the truth of a statement.
- 08
I tell a lie
I am mistaken; I thought that what I said (or wrote) was true, but I have just realised that it is not.
Last updated August 10, 2026