"gives a telling" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to refer to something that reveals a truth or gives an indication about a certain situation or person. For example, "The way he reacted to the news gave a telling insight into his feelings."
A police statistic gives a telling insight: forces believe that one in four allegations of race hate crime are brought to their attention, compared with just one in 30 disability hate crimes.
Wipe away such games and the number gives a telling look at whether a concept is working.
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.
And his open embrace of tackling Social Security reform -- even if it's on the margins -- gives a telling indication as to where the commission's conversation on entitlement reform is heading.
Last February the Everton boss gave a telling insight into his methodology on the training ground.
It was Hearns who also gave a telling response when asked if he thought Tyson's behavior was a put-on to help sell the fight.
New but Not Unknown Joe Montgomery was asked to recall the last time he played fullback before Friday night and took no time in giving a telling answer.
Unsettling to say the least, given a telling observation in the article, "Al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations draw their thinking from Wahhabism".
These reflections gave a telling description of the patients' functional ability, life circumstances, and resources for or obstacles to managing symptoms and illnesses, that the physicians could follow up.
Asked if he had seen Kennedy's comments, Mike Mussina gave a telling response.
The bridesmaids running for their lives give a telling portrait of how contemporary women view marriage: they're at polar ends from their mothers or grandmothers.
