tell
n. countablen. a small sign or habit that shows what someone is really thinking or feeling, even when they try to hide it. You often hear this word when people talk about poker players.
n. an unintentional action or habit that reveals a person's secret thoughts, intentions, or the strength of their hand in a game of chance. Informal in register; frequently used in the context of gambling or high-stakes negotiation.
His nervous tapping is a clear tell that he is lying.
The professional gambler watched his opponent's eyes, looking for a subtle tell that would reveal a weak hand.
In high-stakes diplomacy, a slight hesitation before answering can be a significant tell, suggesting that the speaker is concealing a more complex reality than their words imply.
Commonly used with the verbs 'have' or 'give away'.