kiss and tell
kiss and tell
1. To tell others about a sexual encounter, usually in order to brag about it. Most girls avoid Johnny because they know he loves to kiss and tell so all his buddies think he's a player.
2. By extension, to tell others about something that was supposed to remain private between the teller and another party, usually in order to gossip or brag about it. To be honest, I try not to include Jane in these meetings because she has a tendency to kiss and tell when she's privy to sensitive details.
See also: and, kiss, tell
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
kiss and tell
Fig. to participate in something secret and private, and then tell other people about it. (In actual use, it usually refers to a person of the opposite sex even when it does not refer to actual kissing.) The project was supposed to be a secret between Jane and me, but she spread it all around. I didn't think she was the type to kiss and tell. I am willing to discuss it with you, but only if you promise not to kiss and tell. the kiss of death Fig. an act that puts an end to someone or something. The mayor's veto was the kiss of death for the new law. Fainting on stage was the kiss of death for my acting career.
See also: and, kiss, tell
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
kiss and tell
Betray a confidence, as in A real lady doesn't kiss and tell. This idiom originally alluded to betraying an amorous or sexual intimacy. First recorded in 1695, it is still so used, as well as more loosely, as in Don't ask how I voted; I don't kiss and tell.
See also: and, kiss, tell
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
kiss-and-tell
COMMON Kiss-and-tell is used to describe situations where someone has a romantic relationship with a famous person and then tells people, usually journalists, about it. On many occasions we discussed selling details of kiss-and-tell stories. It looks unlikely that there will be a kiss and tell book. Note: If someone tells their story in this way, you can say that they kiss and tell. You can also refer to their behaviour as kissing and telling. In no circumstances will I kiss and tell. Aren't the footballer's girlfriends just after the money they get for kissing and telling? Note: This expression appears in the play `Love for Love' by William Congreve (1695): `Oh, fie, Miss, you must not kiss and tell'.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
kiss and tell
recount your sexual exploits, especially to the media concerning a famous person. chiefly derogatorySee also: and, kiss, tell
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
ˌkiss and ˈtell
a way of referring to somebody talking publicly, usually for money, about a past sexual relationship with somebody famous: Despite all the money the tabloids were offering for her story, she was determined not to kiss and tell.See also: and, kiss, tell
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
kiss and tell, to
To betray an intimate secret. The term comes from Restoration England (“And if he needs must kiss and tell, I’ll kick him headlong into Hell,” Charles Cotton, Burlesque, 1675). Numerous writers since have warned against such shameful (or shameless) behavior, from William Congreve and Robert Burns to George Bernard Shaw (Misalliance, 1910).
See also: and, kiss
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- kiss and tell, to
- kiss-and-tell
- tell the truth and shame the devil
- tell (one) about (someone or something)
- tell about
- tell
- I can tell you
- phone up
- tell one to face
- pray tell