Chinese whispers: Learn what the means through example!

What does “Chinese whispers” mean?

"Chinese whispers" means a game where a message is passed from person to person, often resulting in the message becoming distorted or changed.

What context can I use the in?

Example

We played a round of Chinese whispers at the party and the message got completely mixed up.

Example

The children had a lot of fun playing Chinese whispers during recess.

Example

The Chinese whispers game is a popular icebreaker activity at team-building events

Is “Chinese whispers” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?

“Chinese whispers” 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 “Chinese whispers” effectively in context?

You can use "Chinese whispers" to refer to a game where a message is passed from person to person, often resulting in the message becoming distorted or changed. For example, if someone is telling a story and you notice that the details are different from what you heard before, you might say, 'It's like a game of Chinese whispers!'

• 1. Social Gatherings

  We played a round of Chinese whispers at the party and the message got completely mixed up.

• 2. School

  The children had a lot of fun playing Chinese whispers during recess.

• 3. Team-Building Events

  The Chinese whispers game is a popular icebreaker activity at team-building events.

Similar phrases to “Chinese whispers”:

Telephone game

A game where a message is passed from person to person, often resulting in the message becoming distorted or changed

Example

The children played the telephone game and had a good laugh at how the message changed.

Broken telephone

A game where a message is passed from person to person, often resulting in the message becoming distorted or changed

Example

We played broken telephone at the picnic and the message ended up completely different.

Whisper down the lane

A game where a message is passed from person to person, often resulting in the message becoming distorted or changed

Example

The students played whisper down the lane and had fun seeing how the message transformed.

Good things to know:

Where does the phrase “Chinese whispers” come from?

The origin of the phrase "Chinese whispers" is unknown.

Is “Chinese whispers” common in everyday conversation?

"Chinese whispers" is a common idiom in everyday conversation, especially in informal settings. It is often used to describe situations where information gets distorted or changed as it is passed from person to person.

What tone does “Chinese whispers” have?

"Chinese whispers" conveys a playful and lighthearted tone. It is typically used in a non-serious context to describe a game or situation where miscommunication or misunderstanding occurs.

Can “Chinese whispers” be used in informal and formal settings?

"Chinese whispers" is an informal phrase that is commonly used in casual conversations among friends, family, and colleagues. It may not be appropriate for more formal or professional settings.

Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?

It is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'The message got completely mixed up, just like in a game of "Chinese whispers".' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Let's play "Chinese whispers"!' to suggest playing the game.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

• telephone game
• broken telephone
• whisper down the lane
• gossip chain

Antonyms