tea leaf

noun

1. the dried leaf of the tea shrub, used to make tea

2. (usually plural) shredded parts of these leaves, esp after infusion

3. slang,  a thief

Word History and Origins

Origin of tea leaf¹

sense 3 rhyming slang

Example Sentences

After 35 years in Tbilisi, Megreladze had returned to Guria, where along with plucking tea leaves she also makes wine and hosts the odd guest.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

This earnings season, companies’ financial results aren’t just numbers — they are tea leaves, tarot cards and macro signals all rolled into one.

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The tea leaves are grown in the shade, specially processed and then stone-ground into the bright green, earthy powder used in drinks and desserts.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

TJ’s Maple Flavored Espresso Black Tea Blend is made with “a blend of select black & herbal tea leaves, natural maple flavor, and ground espresso beans,” according to TJ’s.

Read more on Salon

When it gets to this stage of the tour, with one win required to take the series, you start reading the tea leaves on everything Farrell says.

Read more on BBC