Theseus
¥
That would be telling
if someone asks you a question you don't want to answer or you want to tease them by not answering for a while, you say 'that would be telling'. This expression is quite "flirty" and would be said with half a smile or it can be quite condescending, depending on the song and tone of voice of the speaker. For example:-
a) "Be ready to come clean on your pal Chlestakov, and straighten out a few of the inconsistencies I've come across in your transcript."
"What inconsistencies?"
"That would be telling, wouldn't it?"
(L.Deighton - Berlin Game)
Context: In a interrogation room.
b) A friend has just told you a secret. Then someone asks, 'What were you two talking about?'
You say mysteriously, 'That would be telling'?;)
if someone asks you a question you don't want to answer or you want to tease them by not answering for a while, you say 'that would be telling'. This expression is quite "flirty" and would be said with half a smile or it can be quite condescending, depending on the song and tone of voice of the speaker. For example:-
a) "Be ready to come clean on your pal Chlestakov, and straighten out a few of the inconsistencies I've come across in your transcript."
"What inconsistencies?"
"That would be telling, wouldn't it?"
(L.Deighton - Berlin Game)
Context: In a interrogation room.
b) A friend has just told you a secret. Then someone asks, 'What were you two talking about?'
You say mysteriously, 'That would be telling'?;)
