tell-tale
Gives it away
Tell-tale describes something that reveals or betrays what might otherwise remain hidden: a tell-tale stain on his collar, the tell-tale signs of neglect.
As a noun, a tell-tale is an indicator or gauge—a device that shows information about a system's state, or a person who reports others' misdeeds.
The nursery-rhyme taunt tell-tale tit addresses a tattler.
One who informs on others
- tattleReveal another's wrongdoing
- rumorUnconfirmed circulating story
- whisperSpeech without full voice
- informerOne who reveals secrets
snitch · blabbermouth · busybody · gossipmonger · hearsay · tittle-tattle · scuttlebutt · sneak
Solving aid
- signMark conveying information
- symptomIndicator of disease
- signalMessage-conveying cue
- hintIndirect suggestion
evidence · marker · giveaway · tipoff · warning · omen · harbinger · portent
State of being unprotected
- disclosureAct of revealing information
- betrayalBreaking of trust
- unmaskingRevealing what's hidden
- leakEscape through a breach
divulgence · unveiling · confession · admission · giveaway · incriminating · damning · proof
tattletale
One who informs on others
informer · snitch · blabbermouth · busybody · gossipmonger · hearsay · tittle-tattle · scuttlebutt · sneak · squealer
clue
Solving aid
hint · evidence · marker · giveaway · tipoff · warning · omen · harbinger · portent · precursor
exposure
State of being unprotected
- disclosureAct of revealing information
- betrayalBreaking of trust
- unmaskingRevealing what's hidden
leak · divulgence · unveiling · confession · admission · giveaway · incriminating · damning · proof · testimony
streamer
Narrow decorative ribbon
tell-taleconcealing
Keeping something secret
misleading · unrevealing · ambiguous · cryptic · inscrutable
tell-talediscreet
Careful to avoid notice
confidant · tight-lipped · loyal friend · trustworthy · silent partner