The phrase "tells tales out of school" is spelled with the IPA phonetic transcription /tɛlz teɪlz aʊt ʌv skuːl/. The word "tells" is spelled with a double "l" to indicate the short vowel sound in the second syllable. "Tales" is spelled with the letter "a" to indicate the long vowel sound in the first syllable. "Out" is spelled with the letter "o" to indicate the diphthong /aʊ/, which is a combination of the sounds /a/ and /ʊ/. Finally, "school" is spelled with the letter "h" to indicate the silent "h" at the end of the word.
The idiomatic expression "tells tales out of school" refers to revealing or disclosing confidential or sensitive information, especially about someone or something, usually in an inappropriate or indiscreet manner. This phrase is commonly used to describe individuals who share private or confidential matters, secrets, or intimate details about someone or an organization without permission or authority.
When someone "tells tales out of school," they breach trust and are perceived as betraying confidences that were meant to be kept secret. This could involve divulging personal information, sensitive business plans, internal procedures, or private conversations that were intended to remain within a specific circle or organization.
This phrase can also be used to imply that the person spreading the information is deliberately doing it to create trouble, instigate conflicts, or undermine the subject of the tales. It suggests that the person who "tells tales out of school" lacks discretion, judgment, and respect for confidentiality, putting themselves in a precarious position with potential negative consequences.
The expression draws its origin from the idea that a school is a place where children are entrusted with knowledge and are expected to respect the boundaries of sharing information, analogous to maintaining secrecy or privacy outside of the school setting. Thus, "telling tales out of school" symbolizes breaking trust and violating unwritten codes of confidentiality and discretion.