telltale

[ˈtɛltel]

telltale Definition

• 1. revealing or indicating something
• 2. a person or thing that reveals or betrays something

Using telltale: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "telltale" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The telltale signs of a liar are often in their body language.

• Example

  The telltale odor of gas alerted the residents to evacuate the building.

• Example

  The telltale heart is a classic short story by Edgar Allan Poe.

• Example

  The telltale marks on the wall revealed the culprit's identity.

telltale Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for telltale

• indicative
• betraying
• informative
• explanatory
• suggestive

Antonyms for telltale

• concealing
• hiding
• protective

Idioms Using telltale

• telltale tit

  a person who reveals secrets or confidential information

  Example

  Don't tell her anything important, she's a telltale tit.

• telltale trail

  a series of clues or evidence that leads to a particular conclusion

  Example

  The detectives followed the telltale trail of footprints to catch the thief.

• telltale feather

  a feather used to indicate the direction of the wind

  Example

  Sailors used telltale feathers to help them navigate the seas.

Phrases with telltale

• telltale games

  a video game company known for developing narrative-driven episodic games

  Example

  I'm a big fan of Telltale Games' The Walking Dead series.

• telltale sign

  an indication or clue that reveals something

  Example

  The telltale sign of a good restaurant is a long line of people waiting to get in.

• telltale heart

  a short story by Edgar Allan Poe about a man who murders an old man and is haunted by the sound of the victim's beating heart

  Example

  The Telltale Heart is one of Edgar Allan Poe's most famous works.

Origins of telltale

from 'tell' + 'tale', meaning 'a tale that tells'

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Summary: telltale in Brief

The term 'telltale' [ˈtɛltel] refers to revealing or betraying something, as in 'The telltale signs of a liar are often in their body language.' It can also refer to a person or thing that reveals or betrays something, such as 'The telltale marks on the wall revealed the culprit's identity.' 'Telltale' extends into phrases like 'telltale games,' and idioms like 'telltale tit,' denoting a person who reveals secrets, and 'telltale trail,' referring to a series of clues that lead to a conclusion.