What Does “bad news travels fast” mean?
Definition:
The phrase bad news travels fast means that news about misfortune and trouble circulates quickly.
The phrase ‘ill news spreads apace’ is another idiom which has the same meaning.
Origin
The expression refers to the idea that people usually share information about trouble quickly. Good news, however, often goes unnoticed.
Charles Dickens popularized this idiom in his novel “Life And Adventures Of Martin Chuzzlewit”:
‘Oh, but you mustn’t let it be,’ said Tom. ‘There’s a true saying that nothing travels so fast as ill news; and if the slightest harm had happened to Martin, you may be sure you would have heard of it long ago. I have often wished to say this to you,’ Tom continued with an embarrassment that became him very well, ‘but you have never given me an opportunity.’
Another related idiom is the following:
No news is good news
Example(s)
1.
John: “How have you heard of his arrest by the federal police?”
Jane: “Well, bad news travels fast.”
2. In small towns, bad news travels fast.
3. As the saying goes, bad news travels fast. I called my husband to tell him about my car accident, but my sister had already sent him a text message.