1 C1 idiomatic formal
To act as a disadvantage or unfavourable factor against someone or something.
"His lack of formal qualifications may tell against him in the interview process."
inseparable
tell against
C1 formal inseparable transitive
To be a disadvantage or point of negative evidence against someone or something.
In plain English
When something makes things harder for you or makes you look bad — like a mistake that goes against you.
What does "tell against" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Usage tip
Formal and somewhat literary. Common in British English, particularly in legal, journalistic, or formal evaluative contexts. The subject is typically a fact, circumstance, or quality, not a person.
Words that pair with "tell against"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
record background lack of experience character evidence
How to conjugate "tell against"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
tell against
I/you/we/they
3rd person
tells against
he/she/it
Past simple
told against
yesterday
Past participle
told against
have + pp
-ing form
telling against
continuous
Hear "tell against" in the wild
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Other ways to say "tell against"
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