TELL OFF
To tell off somebody (or tell somebody off) is to speak angrily to someone because they have done something wrong.
Informal English.
tick off has a very similar meaning.
Examples of use:
- Mum will tell you off for breaking that window.
- Our English teacher told us off for throwing paper aeroplanes in class.
- He tells us off for the smallest things.
- Twitter update from the Mayor of London: Just been told off for cycling inside city hall. Sorry security!
- News headline: Woman told off for giving ducks wrong kind of bread.
| infinitive | tell off |
| present simple | tell off and tells off |
| -ing form | telling off |
| past simple | told off |
| past participle | told off |