Backbiting or tale-bearing is to slander someone in their absence — to bite them behind their back. Originally, backbiting referred to an unsporting attack from the rear in the blood sport of bearbaiting.

What does backbite mean in the Bible?

: to say mean or spiteful things about a person (such as someone who is not present) They beguiled the time by backbiting and intriguing against each other in a foolish kind of way.—

What does Blackbitting mean?

If you accuse someone of backbiting, you mean that they say unpleasant or unkind things about someone who is not present, especially in order to stop them doing well at work. [disapproval]