Tell off
verb
To reprimand or scold someone.
The teacher told the student off for talking during the lesson.
Often appears as...
- tell someone off
- get told off
Usage tips
Disapproving
verb
To divide or mark into sections.
She told off the papers into sets of five for easier distribution.
Often appears as...
- tell off into
- telling off sections
verb
To reprimand or scold someone.
The teacher told the student off for talking during the lesson.
Often appears as...
- tell someone off
- get told off
Usage tips
Disapproving
verb
To divide or mark into sections.
She told off the papers into sets of five for easier distribution.
Often appears as...
- tell off into
- telling off sections
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Severity
Use 'tell off' for mild to moderate scolding, not for severe punishment.
I was just told off for being late, not punished.
Pro Tip 2/3Informal
'Tell off' is generally used in informal situations, often among friends or family.
My mom told me off for not cleaning my room.
Pro Tip 3/3Authority
Often used when someone in authority scolds a person under their charge.
The team leader told off the new recruit for being careless.
Pro Tip 1/3Severity
Use 'tell off' for mild to moderate scolding, not for severe punishment.
I was just told off for being late, not punished.
Pro Tip 2/3Informal
'Tell off' is generally used in informal situations, often among friends or family.
My mom told me off for not cleaning my room.
Pro Tip 3/3Authority
Often used when someone in authority scolds a person under their charge.
The team leader told off the new recruit for being careless.
Pro Tip 1/3Severity
Use 'tell off' for mild to moderate scolding, not for severe punishment.
I was just told off for being late, not punished.
Pro Tip 2/3Informal
'Tell off' is generally used in informal situations, often among friends or family.
My mom told me off for not cleaning my room.
Pro Tip 3/3Authority
Often used when someone in authority scolds a person under their charge.
The team leader told off the new recruit for being careless.
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