Tell tales and pass on small drink (6)

I believe the answer is:

gossip

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'tell tales' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'pass on small drink' is the wordplay.
'pass on' becomes 'go' (synonyms. I am not sure about the 'on' bit.).
'small' becomes 's' (abbreviation - e.g. clothes size).
'drink' becomes 'sip' (sipping is a kind of drinking).
'go'+'s'+'sip'='GOSSIP'

'and' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for gossip that I've seen before include "Idle prattle" , "female friend at a birth" , "gas" , "muck spreader" , "Natter" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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