telling smile

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "telling smile" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe a smile that conveys a deeper meaning or reveals something about a person's thoughts or intentions. Example: She couldn't help but notice the man's telling smile as he walked away, leaving her wondering what he was really thinking.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It seemed like a telling smile.

BBC

My final question to this distinguished scholar: "Dr. Wilson, what can humans learn from ants?" Wilson looks skyward, takes a breath and with a telling smile says: "Absolutely nothing!

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

I was always being told: "Smile and look like you're enjoying yourself".

The Guardian

She smiles, and unless I'm told to smile back, I don't.

The New York Times

The woman who was repeatedly told to smile by everyone from Reince Priebus to Ed Rendell, is now being told to smile less. .

Huffington Post

The same woman also said that she'd been told to "smile" by a male member of upper management (because women just love being told to smile). .

Huffington Post

That's why call-center workers are told to smile no matter what kind of abuse they're taking.

The New Yorker

Living in New York, I've been told to "Smile, baby" more times than I can count.

TechCrunch

Dog owners may think their pets can tell a smile from a frown, but scientific evidence has been lacking.

Science Magazine

Some women do not like to be told to smile or to cheer up when they are crying.

WikiHow

You can tell fake smiles from real ones because the smile doesn't reach all the way to their eyes.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "telling smile" when you want to convey that a smile reveals more than it initially seems. It implies underlying thoughts, intentions, or emotions that aren't explicitly stated.

Common error

Avoid using "telling smile" when you simply mean someone is happy or friendly. This phrase is specific to smiles that reveal hidden information or emotions, not general expressions of joy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "telling smile" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "telling" modifies the noun "smile". This construction emphasizes the communicative aspect of the smile, suggesting it conveys information beyond a simple expression of happiness. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "telling smile" denotes a smile that communicates more than just happiness; it hints at unspoken thoughts or intentions. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and serves to emphasize the communicative nature of a smile. Though not exceedingly common, it finds its place in various contexts, especially within news and media. When employing this phrase, consider the subtle nuances it brings: a smile that doesn't just express, but reveals. Alternatives like "revealing grin" or "expressive smile" can offer similar shades of meaning, depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

revealing grin

Replaces "smile" with "grin", which can imply a broader or more expressive smile, while "revealing" emphasizes the disclosure aspect.

significant smile

Substitutes "telling" with "significant", focusing on the importance or weight of the smile's message.

expressive smile

Uses "expressive" instead of "telling" to highlight the smile's ability to convey emotions or thoughts.

meaningful smile

Replaces "telling" with "meaningful", emphasizing that the smile is full of meaning or significance.

eloquent smile

Suggests the smile communicates effectively, similar to eloquent speech.

a smile that speaks volumes

This is an idiomatic expression that equates the smile with conveying a lot of unspoken information.

knowing smirk

Switches "smile" to "smirk" suggesting a more subtle, often secretive, expression.

loaded smile

Implies the smile is charged with hidden meaning or emotion.

a smile hinting at

Changes the structure to focus on the smile as a subtle indicator of something else.

a smile that betrayed

This alternative suggests the smile inadvertently revealed a hidden feeling or intention.

FAQs

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

You can use "telling smile" to describe a smile that reveals more than it shows, implying hidden thoughts or emotions. For instance, "She gave a "telling smile" when he mentioned his ex-girlfriend, hinting at her jealousy."

What's the difference between "telling smile" and "genuine smile"?

"Telling smile" implies that the smile reveals something beyond simple happiness, while "genuine smile" simply indicates authentic joy or amusement. A "genuine smile" is purely expressive, whereas a "telling smile" is communicative on a deeper level.

What can I say instead of "telling smile"?

You can use alternatives like "revealing grin", "significant smile", or "expressive smile" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always positive to describe a smile as "telling"?

No, a "telling smile" can be either positive or negative depending on the context. It simply means the smile is revealing something. What it reveals could be anything from amusement to disdain.