telltale
gb/tˈɛltˌeɪl/ us/tˈɛltˌeɪl/
B2
Inglese
Accezioni
0 accezioni
adjective
B2
property
1
revealing something hidden
If something is telltale, it clearly shows that something else is true.
Schema d'uso:
telltale + [sign/mark/smile/sound/trace]
Errore comune:
Learners may confuse telltale (revealing) with truthful (honest).
Sinonimi
revealing (General synonym; less vivid than telltale.)
|
indicative (More formal; often used in technical or analytical contexts.)
|
unmistakable (Stronger; emphasizes clarity rather than the act of giving something away.)
Contrari
inconclusive (Does not clearly show what is true.)
|
misleading (Gives a false impression rather than revealing the truth.)
Collocazioni
telltale sign
|telltale marks
|telltale evidence
|telltale symptoms
|a telltale smile
|a telltale pause
|telltale bruises
|telltale traces
|telltale smell
|telltale sound
Temi
communication
|observation
|emotions
Esempi
- The telltale smell of smoke clung to his jacket.
- A telltale hesitation in her voice suggested she wasn’t being honest.
- The detective noticed telltale scratches around the lock.
Esempi per chi studia
- His telltale smile showed he knew the secret.
- These are telltale signs of stress.
Sostantivo
C1
entity
2
a sign that reveals something
A telltale is something that shows a hidden fact.
Schema d'uso:
a telltale (of [something])
Errore comune:
Often used as an adjective (telltale sign) rather than as a standalone noun.
Sinonimi
clue (Common and broad; does not necessarily imply something was unintentionally revealed.)
|
indicator (Neutral and often used in measured or analytical contexts.)
|
giveaway (More informal; emphasizes unintended revelation.)
Contrari
red herring (A misleading sign that points in the wrong direction.)
Collocazioni
a telltale of deception
|a telltale of illness
|a telltale for trouble
|the telltale was obvious
|spot a telltale
Temi
observation
|communication
Esempi
- The muddy footprints were a telltale that someone had been in the house.
- A sudden change in tone can be a telltale of irritation.
- The empty bottle was the telltale the manager needed.
Esempi per chi studia
- The noise was a telltale that someone was there.
Sostantivo
technical
C1
entity
3
dashboard warning light
A telltale is a small light that warns you about a vehicle problem.
Schema d'uso:
[system] telltale (light)
Errore comune:
In everyday speech people usually say 'warning light' rather than 'telltale'.
Sinonimi
warning light (More common in everyday English.)
|
indicator light (Neutral; focuses on showing status, not only warnings.)
Contrari
blank display (No light or indication is shown.)
Collocazioni
warning telltale
|indicator telltale
|ABS telltale
|engine telltale
|oil-pressure telltale
|charge telltale
|brake telltale
|airbag telltale
|illumination of the telltale
|the telltale comes on
Temi
transport
|technology
Esempi
- The red oil-pressure telltale came on as she accelerated.
- If the airbag telltale stays lit, have the system checked.
- A flashing telltale can indicate a serious fault.
Esempi per chi studia
- A warning telltale lit up on the dashboard.
Sostantivo
informal
C1
role
4
person who informs on others
A telltale is someone who tells on other people.
Schema d'uso:
a telltale
Errore comune:
Often confused with the verb phrase 'tell a tale' (tell a story), which is different.
Sinonimi
tattletale (Especially common in American English and with children.)
|
snitch (Stronger and more negative; often used for reporting to authorities.)
|
informer (More neutral/formal; often implies providing information to police.)
Contrari
confidant (Someone trusted to keep secrets, not reveal them.)
|
ally (Someone who supports you rather than betraying you.)
Collocazioni
a sneaky telltale
|a schoolyard telltale
|call someone a telltale
|don't be a telltale
Temi
people
|social_relationships
|conflict
Esempi
- No one trusted him because he was known as a telltale.
- She got angry and called her brother a telltale for reporting her.
- In the playground, being a telltale could get you into trouble.
Esempi per chi studia
- He is a telltale and tells the teacher everything.
Sostantivo
technical
C2
entity
5
streamer showing airflow direction
A telltale is a small strip on a sail that shows wind flow.
Schema d'uso:
telltale(s) on [a sail]
Errore comune:
Not related to 'telling stories'; it is a sailing tool.
Sinonimi
streamer (General word; does not specifically imply sailing function.)
Contrari
windbreak (Blocks wind rather than showing its flow.)
Collocazioni
wind telltale
|sail telltales
|masthead telltale
|watch the telltales
|telltales streaming
|telltales drooping
|trim by the telltales
Temi
sports
|transport
Esempi
- Watch the telltales on the jib and ease the sheet if they start to stall.
- The telltales were streaming straight back, so the trim looked good.
- He added a masthead telltale to help judge wind direction.
Sostantivo
technical
C2
entity
6
leak indicator in equipment
A telltale can be a small opening that shows a leak.
Schema d'uso:
telltale hole/port
Errore comune:
This is specialized usage and may be unfamiliar outside maintenance contexts.
Sinonimi
weep hole (Common technical term for a hole that lets leaking fluid escape visibly.)
|
indicator port (More general; emphasizes the function of indicating a condition.)
Contrari
sealed joint (Designed to prevent visible leakage or indication.)
Collocazioni
telltale hole
|telltale port
|telltale drain
|leak from the telltale
|fluid at the telltale
Temi
technology
|maintenance
Esempi
- Coolant dripping from the telltale hole suggests the seal is failing.
- If you see oil at the telltale, stop the machine and inspect it.
- The manual says to check the telltale port during routine maintenance.
Grammatica
Forma base
telltale
IPA
GB/tˈɛltˌeɪl/
US/tˈɛltˌeɪl/
Sillabe e accento
tell - tale (2 sillabe)
Stress on 1st syllable (tell)
Forme flesse
Adjective
- Base: telltale
Noun
- Base: telltale
- Plural: telltales
Espressioni
a telltale sign (of [something])
1/ə tˈɛltˌeɪl sˈaɪn əv sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
clear evidence of something
A telltale sign is something that clearly shows something is true.
Esempi
- Dark circles under the eyes can be a telltale sign of exhaustion.
- A sudden drop in sales is often a telltale sign of a larger problem.
- That cough is a telltale sign of the flu going around.