good tell

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "good tell" is not correct and does not make sense in written English.
It seems to be an incomplete or incorrect expression, and without context, it is unclear what it is intended to convey. Example: "That was a good tell during the game." (if "tell" refers to a signal or indication).

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Mrs. Obama nodded: Good, tell me exactly how you would do it.

The New York Times

I wanted people to tell me I was good, tell me I'm OK.

The Guardian

It's right up there with "If you look good, you feel good" (tell that to Marilyn Monroe) and "The abused abuse" (if that was true the majority of paedophiles would be female, and they're not).

Independent

If the Army records are so good, tell me: Who liberated Benjamin Bender at Buchenwald?" Mr. Miles married the former Gloria Darlington in 1952, after having known her since they were classmates in elementary school.

The New York Times

Dr. Fielding also explains a good tell is whether or not it starts interrupting your life.

Forbes

"They [Arabs] discourage you that your religion is not good, tell you to just be a Muslim.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Swim Good told the tale of a desperate murder-suicide.

The Guardian - Music

Their knowledge of good tells them to hide.

Huffington Post

Converting them is too expensive, Mr Gooding told the BBC.

Independent

"Absolutely I think it's important," Gooding told People.com.com

Huffington Post

I want good reporters who tell good stories.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "good tell", ensure the context clearly indicates that "tell" refers to a revealing sign or indication, particularly in scenarios like poker games or behavioral analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "good tell" when you intend to describe a general act of speaking or informing. Instead, use "good story", "good advice", or "good news" depending on what's being communicated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "good tell" functions as an adjective-noun combination, where "good" modifies "tell", suggesting a reliable or informative indicator. However, Ludwig AI points out it's not technically correct. Examples show usage in contexts where "tell" means sign or indication.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Wiki

40%

News & Media

40%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "good tell" is a common but grammatically questionable expression used to describe a reliable or informative sign, particularly in contexts like poker or behavioral analysis. While often used informally, it's important to recognize its limitations and consider more precise alternatives like "telling sign" or "clear signal" for clearer communication. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is not technically correct, and one should be mindful of the context to avoid misinterpretations. The phrase appears frequently in Wiki and News & Media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

telling sign

Focuses on the revealing nature of the sign, indicating it provides important information.

strong indication

Stresses the strength and certainty of the hint or suggestion.

clear signal

Emphasizes the clarity of the information conveyed, making it easily understandable.

positive sign

Highlights the optimistic nature of the sign, indicating a favorable outcome.

reliable indicator

Highlights the dependability of the sign or indication, focusing on its accuracy.

favorable indicator

Stresses the positive aspect of the indicator, suggesting a promising development.

trustworthy sign

Focuses on the reliability and accuracy of the sign, suggesting it can be trusted.

promising clue

Suggests the information offers hope or potential for a positive outcome.

accurate prediction

Highlights the predictive power of the information, emphasizing its correctness.

revealing clue

Emphasizes that the information is a hint that helps solve a puzzle or mystery.

FAQs

What does "good tell" mean?

The phrase "good tell" typically refers to a reliable or revealing sign, often in the context of poker or behavioral observation, indicating a person's true intentions or feelings.

Is "good tell" grammatically correct?

While commonly used in specific contexts, "good tell" is grammatically questionable. It is more accurate to say "telling sign" or "reliable indicator".

How can I use "good tell" in a sentence?

Example: "His fidgeting was a telling sign that he was bluffing."

What are some alternatives to "good tell"?

Consider using "clear signal", "strong indication", or "reliable indicator" as alternatives to "good tell" for clearer communication.