telltale
gb/tˈɛltˌeɪl/ us/tˈɛltˌeɪl/
B2
英语
义项
0 个义项
adjective
B2
property
1
revealing something hidden
If something is telltale, it clearly shows that something else is true.
用法模式：
telltale + [sign/mark/smile/sound/trace]
常见错误：
Learners may confuse telltale (revealing) with truthful (honest).
近义词
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.)
反义词
inconclusive (Does not clearly show what is true.)
|
misleading (Gives a false impression rather than revealing the truth.)
搭配
telltale sign
|telltale marks
|telltale evidence
|telltale symptoms
|a telltale smile
|a telltale pause
|telltale bruises
|telltale traces
|telltale smell
|telltale sound
主题
communication
|observation
|emotions
例句
- 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.
学习者例句
- His telltale smile showed he knew the secret.
- These are telltale signs of stress.
名词
C1
entity
2
a sign that reveals something
A telltale is something that shows a hidden fact.
用法模式：
a telltale (of [something])
常见错误：
Often used as an adjective (telltale sign) rather than as a standalone noun.
近义词
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.)
反义词
red herring (A misleading sign that points in the wrong direction.)
搭配
a telltale of deception
|a telltale of illness
|a telltale for trouble
|the telltale was obvious
|spot a telltale
主题
observation
|communication
例句
- 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.
学习者例句
- The noise was a telltale that someone was there.
名词
technical
C1
entity
3
dashboard warning light
A telltale is a small light that warns you about a vehicle problem.
用法模式：
[system] telltale (light)
常见错误：
In everyday speech people usually say 'warning light' rather than 'telltale'.
近义词
warning light (More common in everyday English.)
|
indicator light (Neutral; focuses on showing status, not only warnings.)
反义词
blank display (No light or indication is shown.)
搭配
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
主题
transport
|technology
例句
- 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.
学习者例句
- A warning telltale lit up on the dashboard.
名词
informal
C1
role
4
person who informs on others
A telltale is someone who tells on other people.
用法模式：
a telltale
常见错误：
Often confused with the verb phrase 'tell a tale' (tell a story), which is different.
近义词
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.)
反义词
confidant (Someone trusted to keep secrets, not reveal them.)
|
ally (Someone who supports you rather than betraying you.)
搭配
a sneaky telltale
|a schoolyard telltale
|call someone a telltale
|don't be a telltale
主题
people
|social_relationships
|conflict
例句
- 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.
学习者例句
- He is a telltale and tells the teacher everything.
名词
technical
C2
entity
5
streamer showing airflow direction
A telltale is a small strip on a sail that shows wind flow.
用法模式：
telltale(s) on [a sail]
常见错误：
Not related to 'telling stories'; it is a sailing tool.
近义词
streamer (General word; does not specifically imply sailing function.)
反义词
windbreak (Blocks wind rather than showing its flow.)
搭配
wind telltale
|sail telltales
|masthead telltale
|watch the telltales
|telltales streaming
|telltales drooping
|trim by the telltales
主题
sports
|transport
例句
- 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.
名词
technical
C2
entity
6
leak indicator in equipment
A telltale can be a small opening that shows a leak.
用法模式：
telltale hole/port
常见错误：
This is specialized usage and may be unfamiliar outside maintenance contexts.
近义词
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.)
反义词
sealed joint (Designed to prevent visible leakage or indication.)
搭配
telltale hole
|telltale port
|telltale drain
|leak from the telltale
|fluid at the telltale
主题
technology
|maintenance
例句
- 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.
语法
词典原形
telltale
IPA
GB/tˈɛltˌeɪl/
US/tˈɛltˌeɪl/
音节与重音
tell - tale （2 个音节）
Stress on 1st syllable (tell)
词形变化
Adjective
- Base: telltale
Noun
- Base: telltale
- Plural: telltales
相关表达
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.
例句
- 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.