What does “Bad news has wings.” mean?
"Bad news has wings" means that bad news spreads quickly.
What context can I use the in?
Example
I heard about the accident from three different people within an hour. Bad news has wings.
Example
As soon as the rumor started, it seemed like everyone knew about it. Bad news has wings.
Example
I didn't even have a chance to tell anyone before they already knew. *Bad news has wings.
Is “Bad news has wings.” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Bad news has wings.” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “Bad news has wings.” effectively in context?
You can use "Bad news has wings" to express how quickly and easily bad news spreads. It emphasizes the idea that negative information travels fast and reaches many people in a short amount of time. For example, if you hear about a scandal at work and then find out that everyone already knows, you might say, 'Wow, bad news really has wings!'
- 1Gossip
As soon as the rumor started, it seemed like everyone knew about it. Bad news has wings.
- 2Information Sharing
I heard about the accident from three different people within an hour. Bad news has wings.
- 3Surprising Discoveries
I didn't even have a chance to tell anyone before they already knew. Bad news has wings.
Similar phrases to “Bad news has wings.”:
Rumors fly
Rumors spread quickly and easily.
Example
As soon as the news broke, rumors started to fly.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Bad news has wings.” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Bad news has wings" is unknown.
Is “Bad news has wings.” common in everyday conversation?
Yes, "Bad news has wings" is a common proverb used in everyday conversation. It's often used to comment on how quickly rumors or negative information spreads among people.
What tone does “Bad news has wings.” have?
"Bad news has wings" conveys a tone of surprise or resignation. It suggests that bad news travels rapidly and can be difficult to control or contain.
Can “Bad news has wings.” be used in informal and formal settings?
The phrase "Bad news has wings" is relatively informal and can be used in casual conversations with friends, family, and colleagues. It may not be appropriate for very formal or professional settings.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
It's commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'I couldn't believe how quickly everyone found out. Bad news really does have wings.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the proverb even if used alone, like saying 'Bad news has wings!' to express surprise at how quickly information spreads.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- gossip spreads like wildfire
- bad news travels fast
- whispered words reach many ears
- the grapevine is never silent
- rumors have a way of spreading
Antonyms
- good news is slow to spread
- positive information takes time to circulate
- happy news doesn't travel far
- positive rumors are hard to come by
- good news stays close to home
