Telltale
adjective
Revealing, showing or indicating that something has taken place or exists.
The broken glass was a telltale sign of a burglary.
Often appears as...
- telltale sign
- telltale symptoms
noun
A person, especially a child, who reports the wrongdoings or faults of others.
He was seen as a telltale by his classmates for always reporting their pranks to the teacher.
noun
A device or object that automatically indicates or signals something.
The pilot monitored the aircraft's telltales for any abnormalities.
Often appears as...
- telltale light
- telltale indicator
Usage tips
Technical
adjective
Revealing, showing or indicating that something has taken place or exists.
The broken glass was a telltale sign of a burglary.
Often appears as...
- telltale sign
- telltale symptoms
noun
A person, especially a child, who reports the wrongdoings or faults of others.
He was seen as a telltale by his classmates for always reporting their pranks to the teacher.
noun
A device or object that automatically indicates or signals something.
The pilot monitored the aircraft's telltales for any abnormalities.
Often appears as...
- telltale light
- telltale indicator
Usage tips
Technical
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Subtle Hints
Used to describe signs that might be overlooked but are meaningful once noticed.
Her hesitant voice was a telltale of her uncertainty.
Pro Tip 2/3Implying Evidence
Suggests solid evidence without direct accusation or confirmation.
The muddy footsteps were the telltale signs of the dog sneaking in.
Pro Tip 3/3Invisible Threads
Implies connections between events or actions not immediately obvious.
Multiple complaints were the telltale threads of a larger issue.
Pro Tip 1/3Subtle Hints
Used to describe signs that might be overlooked but are meaningful once noticed.
Her hesitant voice was a telltale of her uncertainty.
Pro Tip 2/3Implying Evidence
Suggests solid evidence without direct accusation or confirmation.
The muddy footsteps were the telltale signs of the dog sneaking in.
Pro Tip 3/3Invisible Threads
Implies connections between events or actions not immediately obvious.
Multiple complaints were the telltale threads of a larger issue.
Pro Tip 1/3Subtle Hints
Used to describe signs that might be overlooked but are meaningful once noticed.
Her hesitant voice was a telltale of her uncertainty.
Pro Tip 2/3Implying Evidence
Suggests solid evidence without direct accusation or confirmation.
The muddy footsteps were the telltale signs of the dog sneaking in.
Pro Tip 3/3Invisible Threads
Implies connections between events or actions not immediately obvious.
Multiple complaints were the telltale threads of a larger issue.
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Video examples
The US is addicted to...
frankly it was a bill that almost nobody in the community would support, including the Bail Project. And it had gone through some changes in that process that placed, you know, pretrial services in the hands of law enforcement, that put people through risk algorithms, that sort of had a lot of the telltale signs of a system
Video examples
Military robots and the...
Unfortunately, this particular call would not end well. By the time the soldier advanced close enough to see the telltale wires of the bomb, it exploded in a wave of flame. Now, depending how close you are and how much explosive has been packed into that bomb, it can cause death
Video examples
The past, present and...
show telltale signs of malnutrition and prior illness. The destruction caused by the Black Death changed humanity in two important ways. On a societal level, the rapid loss of population led to important changes in Europe's economic conditions. With more food to go around,
Video examples
What makes us get sick?...
and yet, here was Veronica, a grown woman, with the same telltale sign of allergies. A few minutes later, in asking Veronica some questions, and examining her and listening to her, I said, "Veronica, I think I know what you have. I think you have chronic allergies,
Video examples
The language of lying —...
But it's still worthwhile to be aware of telltale clues, like minimal self-references, negative language, simple explanations and convoluted phrasing. It just might help you avoid an overvalued stock, an ineffective product, or even a terrible relationship.
Video examples
How does your immune...
A mosquito lands on your arm, injects its chemicals into your skin, and begins to feed. You wouldn’t even know it was there, if not for the red lump that appears, accompanied by a telltale itch. It’s a nuisance, but that bump is an important signal
Video examples
Why Science Says It's...
telltale signs of lying or truth telling that we cannot see with our naked eye but computer vision can see we used technology developed by emotions and this program basically using computer vision to learn to detect your subtle
Video examples
Baby Orphan Fox Rescue PIPE...
so without a mother their care falls into the hands of the team when cubs first come into the world they have short black fur which they will begin to molt around four weeks old this is a telltale sign of how young
Video examples
Using radioactive drugs...
by allowing doctors to see amyloid, the telltale protein buildup that otherwise couldn’t be confirmed without an autopsy. Meanwhile, researchers are actively working to develop new tracers
Video examples
Safari Live - Day 238 PIPE...
he had laid down a clear chemical trail he even lets out his telltale saw to reaffirm to all who is still the duke of humor
Video examples
The US is addicted to...
frankly it was a bill that almost nobody in the community would support, including the Bail Project. And it had gone through some changes in that process that placed, you know, pretrial services in the hands of law enforcement, that put people through risk algorithms, that sort of had a lot of the telltale signs of a system
Video examples
Military robots and the...
Unfortunately, this particular call would not end well. By the time the soldier advanced close enough to see the telltale wires of the bomb, it exploded in a wave of flame. Now, depending how close you are and how much explosive has been packed into that bomb, it can cause death
Video examples
The past, present and...
show telltale signs of malnutrition and prior illness. The destruction caused by the Black Death changed humanity in two important ways. On a societal level, the rapid loss of population led to important changes in Europe's economic conditions. With more food to go around,
Video examples
What makes us get sick?...
and yet, here was Veronica, a grown woman, with the same telltale sign of allergies. A few minutes later, in asking Veronica some questions, and examining her and listening to her, I said, "Veronica, I think I know what you have. I think you have chronic allergies,
Video examples
The language of lying —...
But it's still worthwhile to be aware of telltale clues, like minimal self-references, negative language, simple explanations and convoluted phrasing. It just might help you avoid an overvalued stock, an ineffective product, or even a terrible relationship.
Video examples
How does your immune...
A mosquito lands on your arm, injects its chemicals into your skin, and begins to feed. You wouldn’t even know it was there, if not for the red lump that appears, accompanied by a telltale itch. It’s a nuisance, but that bump is an important signal
Video examples
Why Science Says It's...
telltale signs of lying or truth telling that we cannot see with our naked eye but computer vision can see we used technology developed by emotions and this program basically using computer vision to learn to detect your subtle
Video examples
Baby Orphan Fox Rescue PIPE...
so without a mother their care falls into the hands of the team when cubs first come into the world they have short black fur which they will begin to molt around four weeks old this is a telltale sign of how young
Video examples
Using radioactive drugs...
by allowing doctors to see amyloid, the telltale protein buildup that otherwise couldn’t be confirmed without an autopsy. Meanwhile, researchers are actively working to develop new tracers
Video examples
Safari Live - Day 238 PIPE...
he had laid down a clear chemical trail he even lets out his telltale saw to reaffirm to all who is still the duke of humor
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Thomas Mallon
American Novelist
The cosmic game changed forever in 1992. Before then, logic told us that there had to be other planets besides the nine (if you still count poor Pluto) in our solar system, but until that year, when two astronomers detected faint, telltale radio signals in the constellation Virgo, we had no hard evidence of their existence.
Quote examples
Claire Saffitz
American Editor
You don't need a specialty lame (French for 'blade') to make professional-level bread at home, but it certainly helps in creating those telltale slash marks. You need a truly razor-sharp edge to make a clean cut; even a sharp paring knife will drag as it moves through the wet dough.
Quote examples
Jim Woodring
American Artist
Every time I write something down I check it to see if it has that telltale glow, the glow that tells me there's something there. If it glows, it stays. Everything is either on or off.
Quote examples
Michael Leunig
Australian Cartoonist
The insatiable need for heartless power and ruthless control is the telltale sign of an uninitiated man - the most irresponsible, incompetent and destructive force on earth.
Quote examples
David E. Kelley
American Producer
When I really have to push and grope and scratch and claw to make a story work, that's a telltale sign that maybe something conceptually isn't right.
Quote examples
Kim Novak
American Actress
And I went through a lot of detours and I took a lot of roads and things so yes, that's all there, but it's not meant to be shocking or telltale.
Quote examples
Robert Ben Garant
American Producer
Telltale signs that your movie is going to go bad is, one, the producer of the movie flees the country.
Quote examples
Charles Kennedy
British Politician
That 1983 general election contained the telltale seeds of eventual Scottish Tory self-destruction.
Quote examples
Marilyn vos Savant
American Writer
Know how to behave at a fine restaurant, which is a telltale measure of social maturity.
Quote examples
Christopher Voss
American Businessman
Most people offer obvious telltale signs when they're lying.
Quote examples
Thomas Mallon
American Novelist
The cosmic game changed forever in 1992. Before then, logic told us that there had to be other planets besides the nine (if you still count poor Pluto) in our solar system, but until that year, when two astronomers detected faint, telltale radio signals in the constellation Virgo, we had no hard evidence of their existence.
Quote examples
Claire Saffitz
American Editor
You don't need a specialty lame (French for 'blade') to make professional-level bread at home, but it certainly helps in creating those telltale slash marks. You need a truly razor-sharp edge to make a clean cut; even a sharp paring knife will drag as it moves through the wet dough.
Quote examples
Jim Woodring
American Artist
Every time I write something down I check it to see if it has that telltale glow, the glow that tells me there's something there. If it glows, it stays. Everything is either on or off.
Quote examples
Michael Leunig
Australian Cartoonist
The insatiable need for heartless power and ruthless control is the telltale sign of an uninitiated man - the most irresponsible, incompetent and destructive force on earth.
Quote examples
David E. Kelley
American Producer
When I really have to push and grope and scratch and claw to make a story work, that's a telltale sign that maybe something conceptually isn't right.
Quote examples
Kim Novak
American Actress
And I went through a lot of detours and I took a lot of roads and things so yes, that's all there, but it's not meant to be shocking or telltale.
Quote examples
Robert Ben Garant
American Producer
Telltale signs that your movie is going to go bad is, one, the producer of the movie flees the country.
Quote examples
Charles Kennedy
British Politician
That 1983 general election contained the telltale seeds of eventual Scottish Tory self-destruction.
Quote examples
Marilyn vos Savant
American Writer
Know how to behave at a fine restaurant, which is a telltale measure of social maturity.
Quote examples
Christopher Voss
American Businessman
Most people offer obvious telltale signs when they're lying.
Example 1 of 10
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