tell off
A2 informal separable transitive
In simple words
When someone in charge tells you that you did something bad and is not happy about it.
Meanings
1 A2
idiomatic
informal
To speak angrily to someone because they have done something wrong; to scold.
"The teacher told him off in front of the whole class for talking during the exam."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Very common in British English. Often used when a teacher, parent, or boss reprimands someone. The tone is informal; formal equivalents include 'reprimand' or 'admonish'.
Commonly used with
teacher boss parent student child behaviour
Forms
Base
tell off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
tells off
he/she/it
Past simple
told off
yesterday
Past participle
told off
have + pp
-ing form
telling off
continuous
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Synonyms
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