"you can't tell?" what does it mean?

Question

in English, sometimes, this (you can't tell?) uses in in idiomatic way...
what does it mean?

in a sarcastic way, what does it mean?

Answer 1

Generally, it means, something like "Isn't it obvious?"

"To be able to tell" something means that you have enough information to understand something. If it's a question, it's usually meant somewhat sarcastically. So, if it's a question, the asker is usually surprised that something isn't obvious to you, because it might be obvious to other people.

Answer 2

I haven't really heard it used as an expression... but in a literal sense it is usually used to be mean.

example:
Person A: How are you?
Person B: You can't tell?

in this sense Person B could have also said "Can't you see from the look on my face how I am... are you stupid or something"

Now, I'm older, not a teenager in otherwords... so maybe there is some kind of idiomatic expression that kids are using these days.

Without the question mark "you can't tell..." means that you have to keep it a secret. example: "you can't tell... but I think Joe is cute"

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

You can't tell... = You can not perceive / understand / see

e.g. Can you tell John from his brother?
Can't you tell the difference between ... ?
It is difficult to tell the truth, among these stories...

Answer 4

you cant figure it out ? this is easey common expression,for are you blind?common for a person who changes styles and asks what do think?hows it look ?the ones that dont notice this get the "you cant tell?duh

Answer 5

Depending on context.
You can't tell? can mean 'are you unable to give further information?'
or
You can't tell? can mean 'are you unable to differentiate or notice the difference?'

Answer 6

You can't actually tell what it means.

Answer 7

It means one cannot disclose something that is not to discuss about it.

Answer 8

it means that u can't tell.

Answer 9

it means that you dont know or predict

Answer 10

i don t know.