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tell off

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /ˌtɛl ˈɔːf/ · UK /ˌtel ˈɒf/

tell off means: To speak angrily to someone because they have done something wrong.

verb

SCOLDB1

To speak angrily to someone because they have done something wrong.

  • Dad told me off.
  • The teacher told them off for talking.
  • Have you ever been told off by your boss?

How to use it: tell someone off for something (The teacher told him off for his rude comment.); tell someone off for doing something (Mum told me off for breaking the cup.)

Similar words: scold, reprimand, rebuke

Opposites: praise

Common phrases: tell off someone, tell off a child

phrase

SCOLDB1

To speak angrily to someone because they have done something wrong.

  • She told her brother off.
  • I was told off for being late.
  • Will the teacher tell us off if we forget our books?

How to use it: tell someone off for something (She told him off for his bad manners.); tell someone off for doing something (The guard told us off for running.)

Similar words: scold, reprimand, rebuke

Opposites: praise

Common phrases: tell off someone, tell off a pupil

Questions about tell off

What does tell off mean?

To speak angrily to someone because they have done something wrong.

What is tell off in other languages?

Türkçe: azarlamak · Español: regañar · Français: gronder · Deutsch: ausschimpfen · Italiano: sgridare · 日本語: 叱る

How do you pronounce tell off?

In American English /ˌtɛl ˈɔːf/; in British English /ˌtel ˈɒf/.

How do you use tell off in a sentence?

Dad told me off. The teacher told them off for talking.

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tell off in other languages

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