cause (some) tongues to wag

To be a source of gossip, slander, or idle speculation. Just when the dust of his previous scandal had begun to settle, the governor did something new to cause tongues to wag across the country. Being a celebrity means that anything one does, no matter how banal, is enough to cause some tongues to wag.

cause (some) tongues to wag

Fig. to cause people to gossip; to give people something to gossip about. The way John was looking at Mary will surely cause some tongues to wag. The way Mary was so scantily dressed will also cause tongues to wag.