tell its own tale

tell its own tale (third-person singular simple present tells its own tale, present participle telling its own tale, simple past and past participle told its own tale)

1. (idiomatic) To speak for itself; to require no explanation.
   • 1868, Frances Mary Oxenham, Edith Sydney, page 19:

     […] 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 […]