tell·tale
adjective/ˈtelteɪl/
/ˈtelteɪl/
[only before noun]- showing that something exists or has happened
暴露实情的；能说明问题的 - telltale clues/marks/signs/sounds
能说明问题的种种线索／痕迹／迹象／声响 - The telltale smell of cigarettes told her that he had been in the room.
那股明显的香烟味告诉她，他曾在这房间里待过。
Oxford Collocations DictionaryTelltale is used with these nouns:- sign
- signature
- telltale clues/marks/signs/sounds