a sure giveaway

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sure giveaway" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate something that clearly reveals or indicates a particular fact or situation. Example: "His nervous behavior was a sure giveaway that he was hiding something."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It was a sure giveaway.

The New Yorker

His trip to the National Governor's Association meeting in Iowa earlier this month was a sure giveaway.

The New York Times

As a general rule, a sure giveaway that online posters are living in a fantasy world is the density of abbreviations and jargon in their writing.

The New York Times - Magazine

Unfortunately, as prized as breasts are in our culture, they're a sure giveaway if you're trying to look like a man (unless you're going for the whole man-boob look not recommended).

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

ONE sure giveaway of quack medicine is the claim that a product can treat any ailment.

The Economist

Clinton also described a tax plan proposed by Rubio, a senator from Florida, as "a sure, budget-busting giveaway to the super wealthy".

The Guardian

But at a moment when he desperately needed cowboy boots -- it's muddy on the ranch, especially today -- he was left with loafers, the surest giveaway in Crawford of a city slicker.

The New York Times

Sketchy realtors can take on all sorts of different shapes and sizes, but the sure fire giveaway is a Bluetooth earpiece.

Vice

Sketchy realtors can take on all sorts of different shapes and sizes, but the sure fire giveaway is a bluetooth earpiece.

Vice

(Coincidentally, Expedia has been sponsoring a Trip-a-Day Giveaway).

The New York Times

The key, of course, is to make sure the giveaways are desirable enough to act as an incentive, not just the books and movies that need an extra push.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a sure giveaway" when you want to emphasize that something is an easily recognizable indicator of a particular situation or truth. For example, "The defendant's inconsistent alibi was "a sure giveaway" of their guilt."

Common error

Avoid overusing the phrase in contexts where a more subtle or nuanced indicator is present. "A subtle hint" is better than "a sure giveaway" when the indication isn't obvious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sure giveaway" functions as a noun phrase acting as a predicate adjective, describing a noun and indicating that something is a clear or obvious indication. As supported by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a sure giveaway" signifies something that clearly and obviously reveals information, functioning as a predicate adjective. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for written English. While not overly frequent, it commonly appears in News & Media and Wiki contexts, maintaining a neutral register. Alternatives include "a clear indicator" and "an obvious sign". The key is to use it when emphasizing an easily recognizable sign. It's important not to overuse it when more subtle hints are present.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a clear indicator

Replaces "giveaway" with "indicator", focusing on the revealing aspect.

an obvious sign

Substitutes "sure giveaway" with "obvious sign", emphasizing the ease of recognition.

a telltale sign

Uses "telltale" to highlight the revealing nature of the sign.

a dead giveaway

Intensifies the certainty of the revelation.

a certain indication

Replaces "giveaway" with "indication", suggesting a more formal tone.

a surefire clue

Emphasizes the reliability of the clue.

an unmistakable sign

Highlights the clarity and lack of ambiguity in the sign.

an open secret

Suggests the giveaway is widely known but not explicitly acknowledged.

a revealing clue

Focuses on the act of revealing information.

a blatant indication

Emphasizes the obvious and unsubtle nature of the indication.

FAQs

What does "a sure giveaway" mean?

The phrase "a sure giveaway" refers to something that is a very clear or obvious indication of something else. It's a sign that reveals information easily.

What can I say instead of "a sure giveaway"?

You can use alternatives like "a clear indicator", "an obvious sign", or "a telltale sign" depending on the context.

How do I use "a sure giveaway" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe something that easily reveals a hidden truth. For example, "His constant fidgeting was "a sure giveaway" that he was nervous."

Is "a dead giveaway" the same as "a sure giveaway"?

While similar, "a dead giveaway" implies an even stronger and more obvious indication than "a sure giveaway". Both phrases suggest something is easily revealed, but "a dead giveaway" emphasizes the lack of subtlety.