Meaning & use
tells
Last updated
Unconscious gestures, expressions, or habits that reveal what a person is really thinking or feeling.
See it in a sentence
The experienced poker player watched for tells before deciding whether to bet.
Her nervous tells, like tapping her foot, gave away that she was lying.
A note on using this word
Tells is most associated with poker, where players study opponents' behavior, but it is also used generally for any revealing habit.
Words with a similar meaning
giveawayssigns
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