'Dead Giveaway' Is Not as Dark as It Sounds
2024-09-08
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1And now, Words and Their Stories from VOA Learning English.
2On this program we explore words and expressions in the English language.
3We give examples, notes on usage and sometimes use them in short conversations.
4Today we talk about an expression that sounds very serious and dangerous: a dead giveaway.
5A "giveaway" is just as it sounds: You give something to someone else.
6But a dead giveaway has nothing to do with tragedy or death.
7In this expression, the word "dead" has another meaning you might not have known about.
8In some common usages, the adjective "dead" can mean exact, correct or complete.
9For example, if someone is dead right, they are completely correct and there is no doubt about it.
10And, if someone is dead wrong, they are totally wrong.
11In some trades, the word "dead" is a really good thing.
12For example, when something is dead center, it is exactly at the center.
13In building, dead level means perfectly horizontal-just what you want.
14However, you never say "dead plumb."
15Plumb already means perfectly vertical.
16So, a dead giveaway is a detail or action that gives away the truth completely and totally.
17It is like a clue that answers a question.
18A dead giveaway shows a truth, fact, or intention in an obvious way.
19In other words, a dead giveaway leaves little room for misunderstanding.
20Now, let's hear the expression in some examples.
21A completely dark house and a huge pile of mail outside the door were two dead giveaways that no one had been home in quite some time.
22She said that she was staying home for the night.
23But with all the makeup on her face, her hair styled, and her party clothes on, her appearance was a dead giveaway.
24She was clearly going out.
25The expression on his face was a dead giveaway that he was guilty. He couldn't even look me in the eyes!
26English has another expression that is similar.
27A telltale sign is an important detail or fact the clarifies the truth.
28It gives more supporting evidence.
29We often pair telltale with the words "sign" or "symptom."
30Let's hear some examples:
31Well, my friend has missed work all week and hasn't responded to my calls.
32Those may be telltale symptoms of a bigger problem.
33When the parents returned from their trip, they saw telltale signs everywhere in the house that their children had thrown a party.
34And that's all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories.
35Until next time, I'm Anna Matteo.
1And now, Words and Their Stories from VOA Learning English. 2On this program we explore words and expressions in the English language. We give examples, notes on usage and sometimes use them in short conversations. 3Today we talk about an expression that sounds very serious and dangerous: a dead giveaway. A "giveaway" is just as it sounds: You give something to someone else. 4But a dead giveaway has nothing to do with tragedy or death. 5In this expression, the word "dead" has another meaning you might not have known about. 6In some common usages, the adjective "dead" can mean exact, correct or complete. For example, if someone is dead right, they are completely correct and there is no doubt about it. And, if someone is dead wrong, they are totally wrong. 7In some trades, the word "dead" is a really good thing. For example, when something is dead center, it is exactly at the center. In building, dead level means perfectly horizontal-just what you want. However, you never say "dead plumb." Plumb already means perfectly vertical. 8So, a dead giveaway is a detail or action that gives away the truth completely and totally. It is like a clue that answers a question. A dead giveaway shows a truth, fact, or intention in an obvious way. 9In other words, a dead giveaway leaves little room for misunderstanding. 10Now, let's hear the expression in some examples. 11A completely dark house and a huge pile of mail outside the door were two dead giveaways that no one had been home in quite some time. 12She said that she was staying home for the night. But with all the makeup on her face, her hair styled, and her party clothes on, her appearance was a dead giveaway. She was clearly going out. 13The expression on his face was a dead giveaway that he was guilty. He couldn't even look me in the eyes! 14English has another expression that is similar. A telltale sign is an important detail or fact the clarifies the truth. It gives more supporting evidence. 15We often pair telltale with the words "sign" or "symptom." 16Let's hear some examples: 17Well, my friend has missed work all week and hasn't responded to my calls. Those may be telltale symptoms of a bigger problem. 18When the parents returned from their trip, they saw telltale signs everywhere in the house that their children had thrown a party. 19And that's all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories. 20Until next time, I'm Anna Matteo. 21Anna Matteo wrote this lesson for VOA Learning English. 22____________________________________________ 23Words in This Story 24horizontal -n. a line that is goes from side to side perfectly as though it is following the horizon 25vertical -adj. going up and down at a right angle from the horizontal 26intention -n. what someone means to do 27obvious -adj. without doubt or confusion; clear and straightforward 28symptom -n. the sign that something is present, especially a disease 29makeup -n. products that are put on the face to improve a person's appearance 30styled -adj. being formed and shaped to look appealing to others 31We want to hear from you. Do you have similar expressions in your language? In the Comments section, you can also practice using any of the expressions from the story. Our comment policy is here