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tell the difference

idiom

Definition of tell the difference

: to see how two or more people or things are unlike each other
  • It's hard to tell the difference between one action movie and another.
  • The new version is supposed to be much better than the old one, but I can't tell the difference (between them).

Word by Word Definitions

tell play

  1. : to relate in detail : narrate

  2. : to give utterance to : say

  3. : to make known : divulge, reveal

  1. : an inadvertent behavior or mannerism that betrays a poker player's true thoughts, intentions, or emotions

  1. : hill, mound

See the full definition of tell
difference play

  1. : the quality or state of being dissimilar or different

  2. : an instance of being unlike or distinct in nature, form, or quality

  3. : a characteristic that distinguishes one from another or from the average

  1. : differentiate, distinguish

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