set tongues wagging

set tongues (a-)wagging

To be a source of gossip or idle speculation. Just when the dust of his previous scandal had begun to settle, the governor committed a new faux pas to set tongues a-wagging across the country. Being such a media celebrity means that anything one does, no matter how banal, is enough to set tongues wagging.
See also: set, tongue
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

set tongues (a)wagging

Fig. to cause people to start gossiping. The affair between the boss and her accountant set tongues a wagging. If you don't get the lawn mowed soon, you will set tongues wagging in the neighborhood.
See also: set, tongue, wag
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

set tongues wagging

If something that you do or say sets tongues wagging, it makes people talk about you. The pop singer set tongues wagging by arriving with a mystery man. Note: You can also say that something starts tongues wagging or that tongues start wagging. Tongues started wagging when Claudia moved from her native Germany to Monaco earlier this year. Note: If people are talking about someone, you can say tongues are wagging. They spent an evening together at his Knightsbridge flat. He said they played cards but added: `No doubt tongues will be wagging.'
See also: set, tongue, wag
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

set tongues wagging

be the cause of much gossip or rumour.
See also: set, tongue, wag
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

set ˈtongues wagging

(informal) cause people to start talking about somebody’s private affairs: A careless remark about his family really set tongues wagging.
See also: set, tongue, wag
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • awagging
  • set tongues (a-)wagging
  • cause (some) tongues to wag
  • cause tongues to wag
  • egg on one's face, have
  • have egg on (one's) face
  • have egg on face
  • have egg on one’s face
  • have got egg on (one's) face
  • with egg on (one's) face
References in periodicals archive
His cryptic captions on his pictures have set tongues wagging over his relationship with the blonde.
Yacht's Foden up to with mystery girl?
Manchester United legend Gary Neville has set tongues wagging in his home town by re-tweeting an "announce Paulo Dybala" tweet.
Man Utd fans react to Gary Neville's "announce Paulo Dybala" re-tweet amid transfer link; Gary Neville later undid the re-tweet - but not before Manchester United fans had spotted it
Lorraine set tongues wagging on Monday when she said she couldn't remember Esther as she was quizzed by Piers Morgan on ITV's Good Morning Britain.
I'M SICK TO BACK TEETH OF TOXIC POLITICS; LORRAINE'S TV OUTBURST AT TORY MCVEY Sofa queen has on-air dig at leadership candidate's politics and telly career
A move by former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo to accompany Deputy President William Ruto to a church service in Molo, Nakuru County has set tongues wagging. Coming amid deep divisions in the ruling Jubilee Party his appearance has left many guessing why he is warming up to Mr Ruto, whom he once told not to expect support from central Kenya in 2022 General Election.
DP William Ruto brings rival Kabogo to his fold
A LOT AT STEAK Pogba set tongues wagging after teaming up with Lionel Messi at a Dubai steak restaurant
HEY, PAUL, YOU'D LOVE BARCELONA; FOOTBALL NEWS
A COUNSELLOR from West Bromwich set tongues wagging - after she appeared on Naked Attraction looking for love.
Naked counsellor fails to find love on dating show
The popular restaurant chain recently set tongues wagging and mouths watering after announcing it was opening its first restaurant north of the border, with somewhere in Glasgow tipped as the venue.
Food fans get set to tuck in at Denny's
However, with just about one month left for Fayose's administration to wind down, the timing of the governor's request has set tongues wagging.
Fayose seeks Ekiti Assembly's approval of N10bn supplementary budget
Swathed in a silky tie-dye-style maxidress, with lace ties down the front and her hands cradling her belly, the former EastEnders star and Strictly champ set tongues wagging that she could be expecting a baby.
DRESSED toimpress; WHICH CELEBRITIES EARNED STYLE POINTS THIS WEEK?
Swathed in a silky tie-dye style maxi dress, with lace ties down the front and her hands cradling her belly, the former EastEnders star and Strictly champ set tongues wagging that she could be expecting a baby.
DRESSED toimpress; WHICH CELEBRITIES EARNED STYLE POINTS THIS WEEK?
It is not the first time Hamilton's enthusiasm for motorbikes has set tongues wagging.
Hamilton teases his fans over future
But the amount of scalp showing at his centre parting set tongues wagging at an Australian Open party in Melbourne in January.
IT'S HAIR PLAY BY TENNIS ACE RAFA
However, it was McKee who set tongues wagging when scoring a magnificent solo effort - collecting the ball in his own half, he beat five Heaton players before rounding the goalkeeper and slotting home.
Mac steals the show in Fordley win; ALLIANCE DIVISION ONE
Then it was the film's trailer that set tongues wagging because of Ghada's co-star Abeer Sabry's scene, where she appears naked in a bath tub.
Ghada Abdel Razek's new movie too 'adult' for her conservative fans?
STEVE EVANS' controversial arrival at Leeds and the way he got the job after Uwe Rosler's sacking has set tongues wagging.
Evans above the etiquette; CONFIDENTIAL SPORT