Some Say 'There's No Smoke Without Fire'

Today we talk about fire. Before we continue, let's talk about two words often used to explain this idiom: rumor and gossip. Rumors and gossip are stories or pieces of information that are passed from person to person but have not been proven to be true. They are often about something bad. If the word on the street is that something is really bad, it just might be. Or if you hear unpleasant things about someone or something from many different people, there may be some truth to it. Here's an example: I think we should start looking for another job. I've heard that this bank is going under. In other words, there must be at least some truth to all the talk. The logic is this: If many people are saying that something bad is happening, it could be partly true. We say this idiom several ways. People will definitely understand your meaning. Here is another example. Hey, I hear you're going out with that new guy at work. We just went for a long walk together. That's about it. Well, be careful. Rumor has it that he is bad news. What kind of bad news? Well, he's been married before. It's no crime to have a failed marriage. But he's been married FOUR times. My cousin knows a former wife of his. She says he owes money all over town. This is just gossip. Look, I'm just saying be careful. Yeah, you know.