a telling look

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a telling look" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a glance or expression that conveys significant meaning or insight, often without words. Example: "She gave him a telling look that made him realize he had said something wrong."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Wipe away such games and the number gives a telling look at whether a concept is working.

Forbes

His frank account of what went on at that time, and reflections on it now, gives a telling look ahead to the journey Young will take listeners on with each instalment.

BBC

Peggy's ingrained racism, notwithstanding her lefty writer boyfriend who's off covering the unrest in Chicago, rears its head in a telling look, which Dawn intercepts and correctly interprets.

Huffington Post

But "The Year in Ideas" does offer a telling look at what was on our minds in 2002.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

A tell-all Look feature in early 1962 seems not to have altered the situation.

The New Yorker

"It's hard," she confessed, with a stories-I-could-tell look in her eyes.

The New York Times - Arts

He told his doctors that he was suffering from lameness caused by a hip infection and he told Look magazine in December 1950 that he had suffered from "ulcers, conjunctivitis, deteriorating eyesight, bursitis and something wrong with my feet".

Wikipedia

Burgess's controversial try nine minutes from time looked like a telling score, as Shaun Ainscough looked yards offside when he collected Jeffries' kick to put Burgess over and Gale converted to make it 20-16.

BBC

I can tell looking at a player at the moment whether he's out of contract or already got a deal, just from the way he is playing.

The Guardian - Sport

Guy says I was left outside his door when I was a baby with a note telling him to look after me.

The Guardian - Books

One of the figures turns and gives me a nasty look, telling me to shut up.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a telling look" to add depth to character descriptions in narratives, conveying unspoken thoughts or emotions. It's especially effective when dialogue is minimal.

Common error

Avoid using "a telling look" excessively in scenes filled with dialogue. Overusing it can make the narrative seem repetitive and less impactful, as the characters' words should be conveying much of the meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a telling look" primarily functions as a descriptive noun phrase. It modifies a noun (look) with the adjective "telling", creating a compound that characterizes the nature of the look as being revealing or significant. This is supported by Ludwig, which indicates its correct and usable nature in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a telling look" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that effectively describes a glance or expression conveying significant meaning without words. As indicated by Ludwig, it's a suitable way to add depth to descriptions, particularly in narrative writing. While the phrase is relatively rare, it finds its primary context in news and media sources. Alternatives include "an expressive glance" or "a revealing gaze", offering similar nuances. When using "a telling look", aim for subtlety and avoid overuse, especially in dialogue-heavy scenes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

An expressive glance

Focuses on the communicative aspect of the look, emphasizing the emotions or thoughts conveyed.

A revealing gaze

Highlights the unveiling or uncovering of something previously hidden through the look.

An insightful expression

Emphasizes the understanding or awareness conveyed by the look.

A meaningful glance

Highlights the importance and significance of the look.

A significant stare

Focuses on the importance and potential impact of the stare.

An eloquent expression

Implies that the look is articulate and effective in conveying a message.

A loaded look

Suggests that the look is full of unspoken meaning or emotion.

A speaking glance

Focuses on the communicative power of the look as if it were speaking.

An indicative expression

Highlights that the look is a sign or indication of something else.

A demonstrative gaze

Emphasizes how the look shows or displays something clearly.

FAQs

How can I use "a telling look" in a sentence?

You can use "a telling look" to describe a facial expression that conveys unspoken meaning or emotion. For example, "She gave him "a telling look" that made him understand his mistake immediately".

What's the difference between "a telling look" and "an expressive glance"?

"A telling look" implies the look reveals something significant, while "an expressive glance" simply means the look conveys emotion or thought.

Are there situations where "a telling look" might be inappropriate?

Using ""a telling look"" might be inappropriate if the context requires a more direct or explicit expression of emotion or thought. It's best used when subtlety is desired.

What can I say instead of "a telling look"?

You can use alternatives like "an expressive glance", "a revealing gaze", or "an insightful expression" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.