Meaning
“Tell off” means to reprimand or scold someone strongly, usually because they did something wrong or unacceptable.
It is an informal phrasal verb often used in spoken English.
Grammar and Usage
- Part of speech: Phrasal verb
- Structure: tell sb off (for sth)
- Verb type: Transitive (requires an object – the person being told off)
Patterns:
- tell somebody off
- tell somebody off for doing something
Common Phrases
- get told off – to receive a scolding.
- tell a child off – parents or teachers disciplining children.
- tell off at work – being reprimanded by a boss.
Collocations
- tell off a child
- tell off an employee
- tell off a friend
- get told off by a teacher
Examples
- The teacher told the students off for being late.
- He was told off by his boss for missing the deadline.
- My mom told me off for leaving the lights on all night.
- She told her brother off for being rude to their guests.
- The manager told off the staff for not following the rules.
- I got told off at school for talking during the exam.
- Don’t tell him off too harshly—he didn’t mean to cause trouble.
Synonyms or Related
- scold
- reprimand
- rebuke
- criticize
- admonish
Antonym
- praise
- compliment
- encourage