说长道短

说长道短

Literally means:

talk long talk short

Actually means:

gossip about someone behind his back; speak ill of a person who is absent

长 refers to advantages or merits while 短 refers to disadvantages or demerits.

It originally means promoting oneself while belittling others (talking about his own advantages and others'demerits). Now it refers to gossiping about others, especially about their negative aspects. Derogatory.

长，长处，优点。短，短处，缺点。

原指抬高自己，贬低别人（说自己的长处，道别人的短处）现指随意议论别人的好坏是非。议论的重点是别人不好的一面。具有贬义色彩。