Phrasal verb
tell off
Meanings
To scold or reprimand someone for doing something wrong.
Definition
To tell off means to speak to someone angrily because they have done something wrong.
To tell off someone is to scold them or speak to them in an annoyed, angry way about their behavior or mistake. It often happens when someone breaks a rule, is rude, or causes a problem. The tone is usually direct and critical, and the person being told off feels corrected or embarrassed.
Examples
- I got told off for leaving the kitchen messy.
- She told off her brother for taking her headphones without asking.
- Our teacher told off the class for talking during the quiz.
- They told off the dog for jumping on the couch.
- He told off a passenger who was playing loud music on the bus.
Common mistake
Learners often say "tell to off" instead of "tell off" (correct: "She told him off").
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.