tell its own tale en · VERB
Meanings
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(idiomatic) To speak for itself; to require no explanation.
[…] and looking out she saw Sir William Grant approaching at an easy trot, for he was anxious to avoid giving her any sudden shock; but the poor animal's state told its own tale; and starting up, Lady Sydney herself opened the hall-door […]
1868, Frances Mary Oxenham, Edith Sydney, page 19:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| tells its own tale | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic | |
| told its own tale | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| told its own tale | Tense=Past | lexicographic | |
| telling its own tale | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic |