tell against
C1 formal inseparable transitive
In simple words
When something makes things harder for you or makes you look bad — like a mistake that goes against you.
Meanings
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."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
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.
Commonly used with
record background lack of experience character evidence
Forms
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
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Synonyms
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