tells, told, telling
to tell off
phrasal verb
Reprimand someone for their behavior or actions
- 1The teacher told off the student for being late.
- 2She told him off for not cleaning his room.
When you tell someone off, you are scolding them for something they did wrong. It's like giving them a stern talking-to because they behaved badly or made a mistake. It's a way of letting them know they need to do better next time.
Remember, when you tell someone off, it's important to stay calm and focused on the behavior, not the person. Avoid using hurtful language or making personal attacks, as the goal is to correct the action, not to harm the relationship.
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at a business conference
The Unexpected Reprimand
Jennifer
I can't believe Mark got told off by the manager today.
Jessica
Really? What happened?
Jennifer
He was late for the presentation and didn't inform anyone.
Jessica
That must have been embarrassing in front of everyone.
in a retail store
A Lesson in Customer Service
George
I can't believe the way that customer was acting earlier.
Michelle
Yeah, the manager had to tell off the staff for not handling it well.
George
I guess it's important to stay calm in those situations.
Michelle
Absolutely, it's all about keeping the customers happy.
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Similar to "to tell off":
- 1scold
- 2reprimand
- 3rebuke