dead giveaway
noun
: something that shows (the truth about something) clearly
The camera is a dead giveaway that you're a tourist.
Examples of dead giveaway in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Their hair product and suits — crisp and conservative if seldom stylish — are a dead giveaway.
—
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
There were way too many times last season when receiver Trent Sherfield, whoever specialized in blocking, simply being on the field provided a dead giveaway that the Vikings were going to run the ball.
—Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 13 Mar. 2025
These include people with missing fingers - a dead giveaway for AI artwork - and two women who appeared to have exactly the same face.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
Dusty leaves are a dead giveaway that these plants are not alive.
—Marni Jameson, The Mercury News, 14 Nov. 2024
Your noise level is a dead giveaway and may also mark you as an American tourist.
, a nonprofit organization that helps solve consumer problems.
—Christopher Elliott, USA TODAY, 28 June 2024
For him, the statue’s piercing silver eyes are a dead giveaway—a common feature of Roman-era bronzes depicting emperors.
—Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 June 2024
Uncle Bill’s telltale white streak of hair was a dead giveaway.
—thehustle.co, 14 June 2024
Unusual e-mail addresses and disconnected phone lines are a dead giveaway; reservationists always call or text to confirm.
—Adam Iscoe, The New Yorker, 22 Apr. 2024
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David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
There were way too many times last season when receiver Trent Sherfield, whoever specialized in blocking, simply being on the field provided a dead giveaway that the Vikings were going to run the ball.
—Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 13 Mar. 2025
These include people with missing fingers - a dead giveaway for AI artwork - and two women who appeared to have exactly the same face.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
Dusty leaves are a dead giveaway that these plants are not alive.
—Marni Jameson, The Mercury News, 14 Nov. 2024
Your noise level is a dead giveaway and may also mark you as an American tourist.
, a nonprofit organization that helps solve consumer problems.
—Christopher Elliott, USA TODAY, 28 June 2024
For him, the statue’s piercing silver eyes are a dead giveaway—a common feature of Roman-era bronzes depicting emperors.
—Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 June 2024
Uncle Bill’s telltale white streak of hair was a dead giveaway.
—thehustle.co, 14 June 2024
Unusual e-mail addresses and disconnected phone lines are a dead giveaway; reservationists always call or text to confirm.
—Adam Iscoe, The New Yorker, 22 Apr. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Dead giveaway.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dead%20giveaway. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
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