telling look

USAGE SUMMARY

"telling look" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe a look that conveys a particular message or intent. For example, "She gave him a telling look that said she was not amused."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

ANKARA, Turkey — The political career of Yasar Yakis, a former foreign minister of Turkey, offers a telling look at the trajectory of the country's president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The New York Times

Teen saviour of articulate pop Lorde has emerged as the lone voice of reason, telling Look magazine: "I find it grating to lump everyone into a really awkward, pun-centric name.

The Guardian - Music

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

The State Department numbers provide a telling look at the impact of the ruling since the ban was enacted.

HuffPost

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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"When we married I suddenly was being told, "Look, let's just keep this photograph of architects,'��" she recalled.

The New York Times - Arts

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

The New York Times - Arts

Once, he was told, "Look, you're only here because of him" — because of David.

The New York Times - Magazine

Michael O'Grady, from Middlesbrough, has told Look North how he became hooked - and how it almost destroyed him.

BBC

The latter, we are told, "looked beautiful".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "telling look" to succinctly convey unspoken emotions, intentions, or judgments without explicitly stating them, adding depth and subtext to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "telling look" repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your descriptions of facial expressions to maintain reader engagement and prevent the writing from becoming monotonous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "telling look" functions as a descriptive element, typically acting as an adjective-noun combination to modify a subject or object within a sentence. As confirmed by Ludwig, it effectively communicates a specific meaning or intent through a facial expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "telling look" is a commonly used phrase that effectively describes a facial expression revealing unspoken thoughts or emotions. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical structure is correct, and its usage spans various contexts, primarily in news and media. While versatile, it's advisable to avoid overuse and consider alternatives like "revealing gaze" or "expressive glance" to enrich your writing. Overall, "telling look" serves as a concise and impactful way to add depth and subtext by implying meaning through a character's expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

revealing gaze

Emphasizes the act of revealing something through a gaze.

expressive glance

Highlights the expressiveness conveyed in a brief look.

significant stare

Focuses on the importance or meaning behind a prolonged look.

meaningful expression

Shifts from the 'look' itself to the expression it conveys.

loaded glance

Implies the look is filled with unspoken meaning or emotion.

indicative gaze

Highlights the role of the gaze as an indicator of something else.

speaking eyes

Metaphorically suggests the eyes themselves are communicating.

eloquent stare

Emphasizes the power and articulateness of the stare.

pregnant look

Suggests the look is full of unspoken words or intentions.

disclosing gaze

Focuses on the act of disclosure through a gaze.

FAQs

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

You can use "telling look" to describe a facial expression that reveals unspoken thoughts or emotions. For example, "She gave him a "telling look" that clearly conveyed her disapproval."

What are some alternatives to "telling look"?

Consider using alternatives like "revealing gaze", "expressive glance", or "significant stare" to add variety to your writing.

Is "telling look" formal or informal?

"Telling look" is suitable for both formal and informal writing contexts, depending on the overall tone and style of your piece.

What does it mean when someone gives a "telling look"?

A "telling look" suggests that the person's expression reveals something significant about their thoughts, feelings, or intentions, even if they haven't explicitly stated it.