Phrasal Verbs

tell off

This page is about the phrasal verb tell off

Meaning

to strongly criticize someone for doing something wrong

Synonym

rebuke, admonish (formal)

For example

  • tell sb off My teacher told me off for getting to class late. She was really angry with me.

  • tell off sb If he's in a bad mood, the boss tells off nearly everyone who comes into his office.

Quick Quiz

Our boss told us off for

a. not working hard enough

b. not being lazy enough

c. working really hard
a) not working hard enough b) not being lazy enough c) working really hard

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1000 Phrasal Verbs in Context

Contributor: Matt Errey