verb
/ˈtɛl/ tells; told /ˈtoʊld/; telling
[+ obj] to say or write (something) to (someone)
This sense of tell is often used informally to emphasize a statement.
to say (a word or words) to (someone)
to give information to (someone) by speaking or writing [+ obj]
to let (someone) know a secret [+ obj]
[+ obj] :to express (something) by speaking
[+ obj] :to give (someone) an instruction or command
usually followed by to + verb
to inform others that someone has done something wrong or behaved badly - used especially by children; [no obj]
[+ obj] :to give information to (someone or something) by doing a particular action or making a particular sound
[+ obj] :to make (something) known to (someone)
not used in progressive tenses [+ obj] :to see or understand the differences between two people or things
not used in progressive tenses :to see or know (something) with certainty [+ obj]
usually used after can or could
all told
don't tell me
informal
used to show that you already know what someone is going to say especially because he or she often says such things
used to express surprise and disappointment
I/I'll tell you what
also tell you what
informal - used to introduce a suggestion or to emphasize a statement
I told you (so)
informal - used to say to someone that you were right about something especially when that person disagreed with you
tell against
[phrasal verb]
tell against (someone) Brit formal :to be a disadvantage to (someone)
tell apart
[phrasal verb]
tell (someone or something) apart :to see what the differences are between (people or things) :to identify (people or things that look similar to each other)
tell it like it is
US informal :to say what the facts are :to speak about unpleasant things in an honest way
tell me
used in speech to introduce a question
tell me about it
informal - used to say that you understand what someone is talking about because you have had the same or a similar experience
tell of
[phrasal verb] formal + literary
tell of (something)
to be evidence of (something) :indicate
to describe (something) :to make the details of (something) known
tell (someone) of (something) :to talk to (someone) about (something)
tell off
[phrasal verb]
tell (someone) off or tell off (someone) informal
US :to yell at or insult (someone who did or said something that made you angry)
Brit :to criticize (someone) in an angry way from a position of authority - often + for
tell on
[phrasal verb]
tell on (someone) informal :to tell someone in authority about the bad behavior or actions of (someone)
tell on (someone or something) not used in progressive tenses :to have a noticeable effect on (someone or something)
tell time
or tell the time
there's no telling
used to say that it is impossible to know something with certainty
you're telling me
informal - used to say that you already know and completely agree with something that was just said