| 释义 |
verbtold tɛltɛl 1reporting verb Communicate information to someone in spoken or written words. 对…讲，与…说；告诉，告知 with object and clause I told her you were coming with object and direct speech ‘We have nothing in common,’ she told him with object he's telling the truth 他在说实话。 with two objects we must be told the facts 我们必须获知真相。 Example sentencesExamples - Eyewitnesses told of the horror of being crushed, of falling and then having other people falling on top of them.
- The owner of the chemist's shop where the armed robbery took place told of his shock and horror at the incident.
- Her mother tells her how wonderful everything is in the city.
- One doctor told the conference he sees 50 patients a day.
- Her mother had told her earlier that the guests would be arriving around 4.
- A North Yorkshire farmer today told of his family's despair as foot and mouth claimed his flock of sheep.
- Last night, her shocked brother told of how he made a desperate bid to save her.
- Sources told us earlier today that the campaign would widen and apparently it has.
- Dad was still telling me how proud he was of me.
- Hearing her friends tell her how lucky she was to have someone so devoted only made it worse.
- That's because he speaks his mind and tells the truth.
- The couple told of the whispering campaign in their community accusing them of being in some way responsible.
- In other words, telling the plain truth probably would have been sufficient.
- She had no doubt been told of the historic reasons why the lords feel they must rule us.
- Employees told of massive delays and journeys of up to eight hours to London from York as the railways were in crisis.
- The inquest was told yesterday that he complained of feeling " queasy " minutes before the tragic incident.
- They also told of how their son had been deeply affected by the abduction.
- Neighbours have spoken of their shock at the incident and told of a quiet woman who kept herself to herself.
- He lost both his job and later his life for his troubles, for speaking out and telling the truth.
- Another doctor told the inquest the symptoms could have been caused by anxiety and depression.
Synonyms inform, let know, notify, apprise, make aware, mention something to, acquaint with, advise, put in the picture, brief, fill in, break the news to alert, warn, forewarn informal clue in speak, utter, say, voice, state, declare communicate, make known, impart, divulge, announce, proclaim, broadcast relate, recount, narrate, give an account of, set forth, unfold, retail, report, chronicle, recite, rehearse, describe, portray, sketch, delineate, depict, paint, weave, spin - 1.1with object and infinitive Order or advise someone to do something.
命令，指示，吩咐 让他走开。 Example sentencesExamples - But the pair were unable to attend after being told to stay in hospital.
- She knew she had been told to stay quiet, but she couldn't.
- The same lawyers told him to bring charges to a civil court and the sports court of arbitrage.
- With a standing order, you tell your bank to pay a fixed sum at a regular interval to an organisation or individual.
- Cancer cells get these nutrients by sending out a complex set of chemical instructions telling the body to produce new blood vessels to feed it.
- The jury normally receives an order from the court telling it to accept the laws as they are.
- People are too intelligent for us to direct their minds and tell them go this way or that way.
- They told them to dismount and then tied them up and ordered them into the American vehicle.
Synonyms instruct, order, give orders, command, direct, charge, enjoin, call on, require literary bid - 1.2with object Relate (a story)
he tried to make the children laugh by telling jokes with two objects tell me the story again Example sentencesExamples - They sat at the table drinking the wine, telling stories and making jokes about General Hackman.
- She ate heartily as she told her tale in full and all about the quest she had set for herself.
- The tale is told in flashback for no apparent reason other than to vary the storytelling approach.
- Most important is to find the voice with which to tell the story.
- He tells a tale of a fellow senator who served with him in the early 1990s.
- Johns' blue eyes brighten as he tells this story, and he laughs.
- She turns to a mysterious woman named Mary who tells exotic tales and teaches Tessa to read.
- It simply tells the tale of one man who made his feelings very publicly known on the intentions and desires of his own life, such as it was.
- She remembered her father telling her tales of pirates marooning their captains and awful things of that sort.
- We laughed too, even though she had not finished telling her story.
- These guys are so funny and laid back on stage, making jokes, telling stories, having a good time.
- A schoolteacher of mine once told this tale to the entire class.
- She tells stories, laughs easily and explains processes and ideas clearly.
- Another way of using language to cheer someone up is by telling stories and jokes.
- Global stars they may be, but they created a warm, homely atmosphere, joking and telling stories about their family.
- And every week he has three of us who will be on the broadcast telling a story.
- The old girls sit for hours under a mango tree, threading and weaving, gossiping and telling stories.
- Talking about bears leads him to tell an amazing bear story, which becomes our film with Harris narrating as he tells the story.
- Readers should remember this is an American story, told from the American perspective.
- Once upon a time in faraway places, stories were told around campfires and hearths among family and friends.
- The autobiographical narrator tells her story not because of her ‘mundane life’ but in spite of it.
- She said: " Spike was a regular here and he was always telling jokes.
- He was telling stories and jokes and had the attention of us all as he was pretty good at it.
- The film is told entirely in flashback, from the perspectives of our three heroes.
- It would be a great shame if teenage boys, in whose voice the story is told, were deterred by the girl's name in the title.
- Tales of epic heroes were traditionally told around campfires just before the battle.
- Ordinary sailors and marines will also be telling their own stories, speaking to the audience from the naval vessels.
- She tells a harrowing tale of how the owners waited until it was too late.
- He is so good at telling Andersen's tales that one wishes to hear more.
- To illustrate, she tells the story of the night watchman given to practical jokes.
- They do that by telling great stories and tales from wherever they are.
- For me, it was just telling a story and relating the adventures and hardships while on Everest.
- The way he tells his stories and jokes is true to life everywhere.
- I once told this tale to a pal.
- The central event, told in flashback, is very powerfully and beautifully expressed.
- Anthony seemed to be telling a joke or story of some sort, but it was obvious that Nick's attention was elsewhere.
- Daddy does all kinds of voices when he tells stories and he always makes me laugh.
- We raced the rooftops to the very edge of it where we saw a group of soldiers merrily laughing and telling stories around the fire.
- It tells the tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table and their quest for the Holy Grail.
- He tries to tell the story in a way that relates to the modern audience.
- 1.3with object Reveal (information) to someone in a non-verbal way.
显露，显示 the figures tell a different story 数字显示的情况不同。 with two objects the smile on her face told him everything 她脸上的微笑向他说明了一切。 Example sentencesExamples - Within families a lot happens on the periphery and the most telling details are often seen out of the corner of one's eye.
- Sadly, the reality tells a different, a gloomier kind of story.
- Lauren relates her story in a simple time sequence and gives telling details which make the narration gripping.
- Each movement of his body tells the story described by song.
- Although intricate in their themes, each picture tells a thousand different stories while remaining beautifully simple.
- Each painting tells a story and relates back to Stadium Australia and the workers.
- Figures tell part of the story but are not the sole reason for Manly's collapse.
- The most telling fact is that I had a terrible job getting the book back from my colleagues to review.
- With all the discussion about the fisheries issue, he said one telling detail is being left out.
- However, the most telling evidence of its enduring value is that it is still in print three decades later.
- But closer examination of the figures tells a different story.
- However, a more telling statistic would be loss and damage rate per 1,000 weapons passes.
- But the body of his report tells a different story.
- While headlines screamed of a terrifying rise in youth crime, Wood said the figures told a different story.
- The evidence of the accused tells an entirely different story, in that he says he did not arrange the marriage.
Synonyms reveal, show, be/give evidence of, disclose, indicate, convey, signify display, exhibit - 1.4no object Divulge confidential or private information.
泄密；泄露 你保证不泄密。 Example sentencesExamples - And if Alan has whispered any secrets, she's not telling!
- Please don't tell, because I don't want to lose readers.
Synonyms give the game away, talk, tell tales, open one's mouth, tattle informal spill the beans, let the cat out of the bag, blab British informal blow the gaff - 1.5tell oninformal no object Inform someone of the misdemeanours of.
〈非正式〉告发 friends don't tell on each other 是朋友就不会互相告发。 Example sentencesExamples - Luckily for both of us, Tanya was not in the room at the time so she would never know about any of what happened because I knew that none of my friends were going to tell on me.
- They had people who told on their neighbours, and this is going to happen here too, you just wait and see.
- The minute someone blabs, it's the fault of whoever broke the silence and told on Matt.
- And then you can send off vindictive messages to the spammers, telling them you told on them.
- ‘There are many cases where students have been told they'll be kicked out if they don't tell on their friends,’ says Manfred.
Synonyms inform on/against, tell tales on, give away, denounce, sell out, stab someone in the back informal split on, blow the whistle on, rat on, peach on, squeal on, squeak on, stitch up, do the dirty on, sell down the river British informal grass on, sneak on, shop North American informal rat out, drop a/the dime on, finger Australian/New Zealand informal dob on, pimp on, pool, shelf, put someone's pot on rare delate
2with clause Decide or determine correctly or with certainty. 断定；判断 you can tell they're in love 你可以断定他们在恋爱。 I couldn't tell if he believed me Example sentencesExamples - I can tell that this is going to be one of those long-winded, rambling posts about nothing at all.
- You look at one of my documents on a screen, and hopefully you can tell that it's been crafted to make you want to read it.
- The muscle in his jaw clenches, and you can tell he's trying hard not to start crying.
- I can tell that he loves what he does, that all his dreams are busy coming true.
- There is an awkward silence and I can tell that they are wondering if I heard something that I shouldn't.
- From the way he's smiling, I can tell that he hasn't smiled in a long time.
- She can tell that for once Jason is surprised and she decides that that is a good thing.
- I can tell that they imagine that ideal job in banking is lying just around the next corner.
- Nobody can tell, but they will certainly have their work cut out for them.
- My friends have tried to be nice but I can tell that they all think we are going to break up eventually.
- It is perfect in every way, and I can tell that both my grandmother and my aunt agree.
- Although he's a cool, controlled character, one can tell that Scott is a little hurt by this.
- You can tell that they're starting to like you, that they want to trust you.
- As the music swells to a triumphant brass climax, I can tell that victory is within my grasp.
- From first impressions you can tell that this is a bike that has been designed with a true passion for the sport it was intended.
- I can tell that she's been wanting to say this for a while, but that doesn't make me want to hear it any more.
- I can tell that she knows something is not quite right about the scenario she walked in on.
- I look at her eyes in her own rear-view mirror and I can tell that she is laughing at me.
- Talking to people in the area about it, one can tell that they are all very proud of their Medical Centre.
- The atmosphere is what makes it such a special place and you can tell that patients and staff alike love being here.
Synonyms ascertain, decide, determine, work out, make out, deduce, discern, perceive, see, identify, recognize, understand, comprehend be sure, be certain informal figure out, get a fix on British informal suss out - 2.1with object and adverbial Perceive (the difference between one person or thing and another)
区别，辨别，分辨，识别 I can't tell the difference between margarine and butter 我无法区分人造奶油和黄油。 Example sentencesExamples - Personally, I can't tell the difference between diamonds and bits of clear broken glass!
- It just can't tell the difference between its narrowband and broadband users.
- I'll wager she can't tell the difference between a Klieg light and sunlight.
- Some say they can't tell the difference between two teams when they are on the other wing!
- He can't tell the difference between the truth and what his lawyer is telling him.
- He's the only person at the bar who can't tell the difference between beer and water.
- The bomb may be smart, but it can't tell the difference between a bunker and a school.
- The company is in big trouble if their commissioning editors can't tell the difference between the two.
Synonyms distinguish, differentiate, tell apart, discriminate
3no object (of an experience or period of time) have a noticeable, typically harmful, effect on someone. 产生（不良）效果，发生（负面）影响 the strain of supporting the family was beginning to tell on him 养家糊口的重负开始让他吃不消了。 Example sentencesExamples - We just did six gigs in seven days so it's told on him a bit.
- The pressure told on both sets of players as the game got bogged down in a midfield melee with precious little invention from the teams.
- The strain is beginning to tell on her.
- Confinement and want of fresh air was beginning to tell on her health and spirits.
Synonyms take its toll on, leave its mark on, have an adverse effect on, affect - 3.1 (of a particular factor) play a part in the success or otherwise of someone or something.
（某种因素）影响，起作用 lack of fitness told against him on his first run of the season 身体欠佳影响了他在赛季中的第一次赛跑。 Example sentencesExamples - Five pit stops against the winner's two was what told against the other two pilots.
- I believe one of them spoke of how her size had told against her when auditioning, even though her voice had been quite acceptable.
- His personal failings also seem to have increased the strain and told against him.
4archaic Count (the members of a group) 〈古〉数，计算 the shepherd had told all his sheep 牧羊人清点了所有的羊。 Example sentencesExamples - He told the number of girls and officers standing in a line.
- He told the number of school that they had established, and how they obtained their scholars.
Synonyms calculation, enumeration, computation, reckoning, counting, telling, tally, tallying, totting up keep a tally of, keep a count of, keep a record of
noun tɛltɛl (especially in poker) an unconscious action that is thought to betray an attempted deception. （尤作纸牌用语）（泄露试图作弊的）不经意动作 Example sentencesExamples - Also, experienced pros will give out false tells to fool players.
- This book teaches you how to interpret tells, such as subtle shrugs, sighs, shaky hands, eye contact and much, much more.
- Authentic tells are unbeknownst to the player and are unconscious.
- The secret interpretation of tells is not unique to this century.
- But I think you could waste a poker lifetime looking for tells like those.
PhrasesJudging from the available information. 根据现有的消息来判断 the work will take about six weeks, as far as I can tell Example sentencesExamples - Even fossilized bacteria, as far as one can tell, are the same as bacteria today.
- The inside of the house, as far as you could tell, was dark; empty.
- Well, does he understand, as far as you could tell, what kind of trouble he potentially is in unless he changes some of his positions?
- So as far as you could tell, do you think the rumours of police infiltrating the protests to provoke violence were largely true?
- She was scarcely half his age, but the marriage was, as far as one can tell, a happy one.
- And so, what's the basic solution, as far as you can tell?
- How is this military campaign, as far as you can tell, moving along?
- What is this lawsuit, as far as you can tell, really about?
- Film festival programmers, as far as one can tell, assiduously do their work.
- Are any other staffers of the United States Senate or Congress involved, as far as you can tell?
I tell you (or I can tell you) Used to emphasize a statement. 我可以肯定地说，确实 that took me by surprise, I can tell you! 确实，那使我深感意外！ Example sentencesExamples - You rarely, if ever, get to know the name of the grandmother on either side - male chauvinism, I tell you.
- So we went out, and I tell you, this boy looked at his watch the whole time.
- I spend a lot of time chasing people for information, and it hurts, I tell you.
- Now I deliberately do the opposite and I tell you, it can be a very uncomfortable thing to do.
- Maybe it's just the first signs of drought, but it's all very unnatural, I tell you.
- I wouldn't drink that the whole night, I tell you - it's going to give you a headache!
- I danced with this young girl and, I tell you, she had more attitude than Naomi.
- Can I tell you, though, what else we saw were people who were on the verge of dying.
- Although I tell you, I am so very much not at my swiftest after I've been asleep for a couple of hours.
- Now, I tell you, does this not sound like a movie that is well worth seeing?
Synonyms assure, promise, give someone one's word, swear, guarantee
I (or I'll) tell you what Used to introduce a suggestion. 我的主张（或意见、建议）是；你听我说 I tell you what, why don't we meet for lunch tomorrow? 你听我说，为什么明天我们不碰头一块儿吃午餐呢？ Example sentencesExamples - Listen, if you don't like it, I'll tell you what: sublet me your place.
- You can be optimistic, but I'll tell you what, don't let your guard down.
- But I'll tell you what, I'll gladly donate my tax cut to a worthy charity if you will.
- And I'll tell you what, we will try to bring her back - do you think we will be able to do that?
- I'll tell you what, instead why don't you write a column about an outing with a girl?
Used to point out that one's warnings, although ignored, have been proved to be well founded. 我早跟你说过的 Example sentencesExamples - In a few years' time, we will be saying I told you so.
- I hate to be the one to come back later on and say I told you so.
- If you are against the war, you look at those images and say, ‘See, I told you so.’
- No matter how constructive or well meant, this week's people aren't interested in criticism, so don't say I told you so - even if you did.
- ‘It wouldn't give me any pleasure in the event of an accident to say I told you so to the county council,’ he said.
- I hate to say ‘I told you so yet again,’ but, I told you so.
- No, I've got nothing to say, except I told you so.
- I was somewhat reluctant to say I told you so, but there you have it.
- Even when I made mistakes, many of which he predicted, he never once said, I told you so.
- I feel bad for the guy and his family and really shouldn't say I told you so, but these guys need to get better advice!
informal Describe the true facts of a situation no matter how unpleasant they may be. 〈非正式〉如实说来，实事求是地说，说实话 Example sentencesExamples - Her willingness to tell it like it is without apology keeps her work, no matter how widespread her critical acclaim, out of the mainstream.
- They're saying we've told it like it is, and rather like the programmes.
- He tells it like it is, and he won't apologize for that.
- This man tells it like it is whether you like it or not, and he gained my respect after two seconds of listening to him.
- It's a strong, realistic portrayal of life with young people who don't usually get a voice telling it like it is.
- He's real and tells it like it is and he's consistent.
- But for all his faults, I like Gordon because he's one of the few celebrities that tells it like it is.
- In case you are wondering what else it takes to be a research curator at one of the world's top historical attractions, Sarah kindly tells it like it is.
- And what if people were straightforward and told it like it is?
- He just tells it like it is, and I think that's a great quality.
tell its own tale (or story) Be significant or revealing, without any further explanation being necessary. 不言而喻，显而易见，不言自明 the worried expression on Helen's face told its own tale 海伦脸上焦急的表情不言而喻。 Example sentencesExamples - The frayed and severed string told its own tale.
- Nevertheless, the Dublin episode told its own story.
- The drooped heads and lost facial expressions on Sunday evening last told its own story.
- And at the end of the day an embarrassing 146 run defeat just about told its own story.
- Her worn and malnourished face told its own story.
- The families and the children have, for the most part, stayed in the community that supported them through the nightmare, which tells its own story in terms of how the islanders regarded the outcome of the affair.
- The look on their faces told its own story as they tried to take in the dreadful news of the tragedy that had befallen this community.
- The imagery tells its own story, though, as well.
- The second half score of 2-8 to 0-5 tells its own tale.
- The hearty round of applause told its own story.
informal Used as an ironic acknowledgement of one's familiarity with an unpleasant situation or experience described by someone else. 〈非正式〉我早知道了；还用你告诉我
informal Used as an expression of incredulity. 〈非正式〉不见得吧；我不相信；哪有这种事，别胡说 Example sentencesExamples - So we have to take his word that it lets out less fumes than a two-wheeler (oh, yes, tell me another) and that it won't clog up our roads.
- "Oh yeah, tell me another," Larry snarls.
Be able to ascertain the time from reading the face of a clock or watch. 会认钟，会看钟点 Example sentencesExamples - A supermarket worker was able to tell the time on a digital watch but not on the analogue clock in the staff canteen.
- Clocks told the time, windmills ground corn, cranes lifted things and so on.
- He reasoned that the movement of a ship was guided by skilled intelligence, and a sundial or water clock told the time by design rather than by chance.
- The Swiss had cleverly realised that a watch isn't for telling the time at all, but is instead a fashion statement.
- Unmistakably, these watches do more than telling the time.
- Mechanical watches also require servicing every three years to keep the watch working in good condition and tell the time accurately.
- But if you want a work of art, a thing of beauty that also tells the time, buy a clock.
- I have a digital/analogue watch that tells the time in 42 countries, solar powered, alarm, stopwatch, date, waterproof to 100 metres.
- I looked at my watch but it was too dark to tell the time.
- Only the clock face is fairly simple and that is because people needed to be able to tell the time easily.
tell someone where to get off (or where they get off) informal Angrily dismiss or rebuke someone. 〈非正式〉严厉斥责，使碰一鼻子灰；叫…不要自以为了不起 Example sentencesExamples - Yeah I would have told him where to get off after he acted like a jerk about the evidence you mentioned.
- But I told him where to get off and he hasn't spoken to me since.
- She was just about to tell him where to get off (once again) when something rather peculiar caught her eyes.
- At 21, if I approached a 40-year-old hard-nut comedian to play my new little comedy club in York, they'd probably tell me where to get off!
- If he tried that with me now, I'd tell him where to get off.
- So if they ask my company to pay a license fee, I'll be recommending that we tell them where to get off.
- He'd tell her where to get off, said a defiant voice.
- He must be a real softie and too shy to tell her where to get off!
tell someone where to put (or what to do with) something informal Angrily reject something. 〈非正式〉断然拒绝，一口回绝 I told him what he could do with his diamond 我断然拒绝他的钻石。 Example sentencesExamples - But seriously, though, if I don't like where you have got it, I can tell you where to put it, sort to speak.
- I may very well have told him where to put his donation!
- The county council visited the Church Area Council and the residents' views were that they did not want them and they told them where to put it.
informal Used to convey that one is not prepared to divulge confidential information. 〈非正式〉不走露风声；不泄密 Example sentencesExamples - Last year, my gifts were mostly made up of all the books that had inspired me in the previous year, coupled with small cartoon-like cards; and this year… well, that would be telling.
- There's even a sweet mystery to be had in the form of… but that would be telling.
- ‘Now that would be telling,’ she grinned as she took a seat beside Kaye.
- Well, that would be telling now, wouldn't it?
- ‘One of them is quite famous but that would be telling,’ Tim teases.
- The old man smiled and winked, ‘now that would be telling!’
- As for replying to your wonderment over whether or not Jesse's fallen for Will just a little bit… well, that would be telling.
- And that would be telling… Plus I'm not sure yet.
Used to convey the impossibility of knowing what has happened or will happen. 不可知道；很难知道 there's no telling how she will react 无法知道她的反应将会怎样。 Example sentencesExamples - Still, there is no telling whether as president he would be so unequivocal.
- I think there is no telling what it might launch.
- With bricks going through the windows, there is no telling what injuries could have been caused.
- Should the elections be held freely, there is no telling what the outcome will be.
- It is free to visit - though there is no telling for how long.
- He is safe and unharmed physically, but when you see people jump from buildings and been part of such a terrible ordeal, there is no telling what he may have suffered psychologically.
- Also, there is no telling whether or not you will be caught one day.
- And he couldn't draw up a plan for his sculptures for one simple reason: The river supplies his materials, and there is no telling what the river will bring.
- Because there is no telling whether these children would have survived had we gone down the path you are suggesting.
- Of course, there is no telling how far the current climate of cigar taxation and smoking-bans will go.
informal Used to emphasize that one is already well aware of or in complete agreement with something. 〈非正式〉还要你告诉我；我早就知道了；我完全同意 ‘That was bad luck.’ ‘You're telling me!’ Example sentencesExamples - You're telling me. It's so hard.
Phrasal Verbs1Reprimand or scold someone. 〈非正式〉数落，责备 my parents told me off for coming home late 父母责备我回家迟了。 Example sentencesExamples - As a matter of fact, it had a very dramatic ending, with me telling him off and storming out of the house, with the kids cheering.
- It would be another slight to his poor, terrified parents, who were clearly unable to ever tell him off for fear of the consequences.
- Adults also punish children by shouting, telling them off, sending them to their room, and withdrawing privileges.
- Teachers' leaders are now calling for a ban on mobile phones in the classroom because children are using them to text message or speak to their parents as soon as they have been told off.
- I do not suffer fools gladly, but somehow I cannot get myself to tell her off!
- I really should have told her off when I had the chance.
- I am now forced to look for more ingenious ways of telling someone off when they get me mad.
- Kids no longer quake in the street when a policeman tells them off.
- I never told him off for spending time tailoring instead of studying.
- My parents were forever telling me off but I never listened to them.
- Once a car stopped and the driver got out and told me off for keeping such a dangerous animal.
- She had to tell me off, otherwise she would be implicitly encouraging the students to bring drinks into the library.
- If I told lies I was told off and if I had dared to show my parents up in a shop, I wouldn't have been shouted at - I would have been taken home with nothing.
- Somehow he could never tell her off or scold her when she looked at him like that.
- He reluctantly agrees, and Susan tells him off.
- These are the terms this man used to so brilliantly tell us off.
- When I told them off for calling us names and bullying, they became very abusive,’ she said.
- My psychologist tells me off for thinking like that.
- Richard tends to be much stricter with Lucie in general and is fed up of being the bad guy who tells Lucie off and reprimands her.
- He has pulled my hair on the bus and, recently, he yelled at me so I told him off.
Synonyms reprimand, rebuke, reproach, scold, admonish, reprove, remonstrate with, chastise, chide, upbraid, berate, take to task, pull up, castigate, lambaste, read someone the riot act, give someone a piece of one's mind, haul over the coals, criticize, censure 2Assign a member of a group to a particular task. 〈古〉分派，分遣，指派 there used to be a chap told off every day to fetch us beer 以前专门有个小伙子每天来为我们送啤酒。 Example sentencesExamples - I was told off to work in the trenches.
- We were then told off to various points on the outskirts of the village.
- A subaltern and a sergeant were told off to supervise each platoon, any spare officers taking up positions in the rear of the battalion line.
Derivativesadjective Often an account of the supernatural folklore of a region is no more than a list of ghosts supposed to haunt the area, followed by a tellable tale or two. Example sentencesExamples - I mentioned in Chapter 2 that ‘narrative display texts’, a class which includes both literary narratives and stories people tell one another, circulate because their stories are tellable, ‘worth it’.
- Therefore, instead of a final dispensation, the story of a monster at the limit of the tellable concludes irresolutely, even incoherently.
- Stories must be tellable in quick, simple images.
OriginOld English tellan 'relate, count, estimate', of Germanic origin; related to German zählen 'reckon, count', erzählen 'recount, relate', also to tale. In Old English tell meant ‘to count’, a sense that is still seen in the term teller (Middle English) for a bank official. The meaning ‘to disclose, reveal’ does not appear until medieval times. To tell tales out of school is to gossip or reveal secrets about the wrongdoing or faults of someone else. In Old English untold meant ‘not counted, unspecified’. In late Middle English this became ‘not able to be counted’ (untold suffering). See also marine, talk
RhymesAdele, Aix-la-Chapelle, aquarelle, artel, au naturel, bagatelle, béchamel, befell, bell, belle, boatel, Brunel, Cadell, carousel, cartel, cell, Chanel, chanterelle, clientele, Clonmel, compel, Cornell, crime passionnel, dell, demoiselle, dispel, dwell, el, ell, Estelle, excel, expel, farewell, fell, Fidel, fontanelle, foretell, Gabrielle, gazelle, gel, Giselle, hell, hotel, impel, knell, lapel, mademoiselle, maître d'hôtel, Manuel, marcel, matériel, mesdemoiselles, Michel, Michelle, Miguel, misspell, morel, moschatel, Moselle, motel, muscatel, nacelle, Nell, Nobel, Noel, organelle, outsell, Parnell, pell-mell, personnel, propel, quell, quenelle, rappel, Raquel, Ravel, rebel, repel, Rochelle, Sahel, sardelle, sell, shell, show-and-tell, smell, Snell, spell, spinel, swell, undersell, vielle, villanelle, well, yell noun tɛltɛl Archaeology (in the Middle East) an artificial mound formed by the accumulated remains of ancient settlements. 〔考古〕（中东）台形（土墩）遗址（由远古人村落遗迹堆积而成） Example sentencesExamples - Ancient cities are now identified by the mounds raised above the surrounding terrain, called tells.
- In the digital elevation model the small conical mound of a tell is represented by a characteristic point pattern, superposed onto the natural topography.
- He narrowly escaped being blown up by a mine when he was exploring a tell outside the city.
OriginMid 19th century: from Arabic tall 'hillock'. verbtɛltel 1reporting verb Communicate information, facts, or news to someone in spoken or written words. 对…讲，与…说；告诉，告知 with object and clause I told her you were coming with object and direct speech “We have nothing in common,” she told him with object he's telling the truth 他在说实话。 with two objects we must be told the facts 我们必须获知真相。 Example sentencesExamples - Neighbours have spoken of their shock at the incident and told of a quiet woman who kept herself to herself.
- Last night, her shocked brother told of how he made a desperate bid to save her.
- That's because he speaks his mind and tells the truth.
- Her mother had told her earlier that the guests would be arriving around 4.
- In other words, telling the plain truth probably would have been sufficient.
- They also told of how their son had been deeply affected by the abduction.
- Dad was still telling me how proud he was of me.
- Her mother tells her how wonderful everything is in the city.
- The owner of the chemist's shop where the armed robbery took place told of his shock and horror at the incident.
- Eyewitnesses told of the horror of being crushed, of falling and then having other people falling on top of them.
- Another doctor told the inquest the symptoms could have been caused by anxiety and depression.
- He lost both his job and later his life for his troubles, for speaking out and telling the truth.
- Employees told of massive delays and journeys of up to eight hours to London from York as the railways were in crisis.
- The couple told of the whispering campaign in their community accusing them of being in some way responsible.
- A North Yorkshire farmer today told of his family's despair as foot and mouth claimed his flock of sheep.
- She had no doubt been told of the historic reasons why the lords feel they must rule us.
- The inquest was told yesterday that he complained of feeling " queasy " minutes before the tragic incident.
- Hearing her friends tell her how lucky she was to have someone so devoted only made it worse.
- Sources told us earlier today that the campaign would widen and apparently it has.
- One doctor told the conference he sees 50 patients a day.
Synonyms inform, let know, notify, apprise, make aware, mention something to, acquaint with, advise, put in the picture, brief, fill in, break the news to speak, utter, say, voice, state, declare - 1.1with object and infinitive Order, instruct, or advise (someone) to do something.
命令，指示，吩咐 让他走开。 Example sentencesExamples - She knew she had been told to stay quiet, but she couldn't.
- Cancer cells get these nutrients by sending out a complex set of chemical instructions telling the body to produce new blood vessels to feed it.
- But the pair were unable to attend after being told to stay in hospital.
- The jury normally receives an order from the court telling it to accept the laws as they are.
- People are too intelligent for us to direct their minds and tell them go this way or that way.
- With a standing order, you tell your bank to pay a fixed sum at a regular interval to an organisation or individual.
- The same lawyers told him to bring charges to a civil court and the sports court of arbitrage.
- They told them to dismount and then tied them up and ordered them into the American vehicle.
Synonyms instruct, order, give orders, command, direct, charge, enjoin, call on, require - 1.2with object Narrate or relate (a tale or story).
讲，叙述（故事） Example sentencesExamples - They sat at the table drinking the wine, telling stories and making jokes about General Hackman.
- The film is told entirely in flashback, from the perspectives of our three heroes.
- She tells stories, laughs easily and explains processes and ideas clearly.
- She ate heartily as she told her tale in full and all about the quest she had set for herself.
- They do that by telling great stories and tales from wherever they are.
- Ordinary sailors and marines will also be telling their own stories, speaking to the audience from the naval vessels.
- The autobiographical narrator tells her story not because of her ‘mundane life’ but in spite of it.
- He is so good at telling Andersen's tales that one wishes to hear more.
- He tells a tale of a fellow senator who served with him in the early 1990s.
- Talking about bears leads him to tell an amazing bear story, which becomes our film with Harris narrating as he tells the story.
- She remembered her father telling her tales of pirates marooning their captains and awful things of that sort.
- The central event, told in flashback, is very powerfully and beautifully expressed.
- It tells the tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table and their quest for the Holy Grail.
- Global stars they may be, but they created a warm, homely atmosphere, joking and telling stories about their family.
- These guys are so funny and laid back on stage, making jokes, telling stories, having a good time.
- It simply tells the tale of one man who made his feelings very publicly known on the intentions and desires of his own life, such as it was.
- Once upon a time in faraway places, stories were told around campfires and hearths among family and friends.
- We laughed too, even though she had not finished telling her story.
- The tale is told in flashback for no apparent reason other than to vary the storytelling approach.
- Johns' blue eyes brighten as he tells this story, and he laughs.
- A schoolteacher of mine once told this tale to the entire class.
- I once told this tale to a pal.
- We raced the rooftops to the very edge of it where we saw a group of soldiers merrily laughing and telling stories around the fire.
- Anthony seemed to be telling a joke or story of some sort, but it was obvious that Nick's attention was elsewhere.
- To illustrate, she tells the story of the night watchman given to practical jokes.
- He was telling stories and jokes and had the attention of us all as he was pretty good at it.
- He tries to tell the story in a way that relates to the modern audience.
- And every week he has three of us who will be on the broadcast telling a story.
- She tells a harrowing tale of how the owners waited until it was too late.
- The way he tells his stories and jokes is true to life everywhere.
- Readers should remember this is an American story, told from the American perspective.
- Another way of using language to cheer someone up is by telling stories and jokes.
- It would be a great shame if teenage boys, in whose voice the story is told, were deterred by the girl's name in the title.
- She turns to a mysterious woman named Mary who tells exotic tales and teaches Tessa to read.
- For me, it was just telling a story and relating the adventures and hardships while on Everest.
- Most important is to find the voice with which to tell the story.
- She said: " Spike was a regular here and he was always telling jokes.
- Tales of epic heroes were traditionally told around campfires just before the battle.
- Daddy does all kinds of voices when he tells stories and he always makes me laugh.
- The old girls sit for hours under a mango tree, threading and weaving, gossiping and telling stories.
- 1.3with object Reveal (information) to someone in a nonverbal way.
显露，显示 the figures tell a different story 数字显示的情况不同。 with two objects the smile on her face told him everything 她脸上的微笑向他说明了一切。 Example sentencesExamples - While headlines screamed of a terrifying rise in youth crime, Wood said the figures told a different story.
- But closer examination of the figures tells a different story.
- The most telling fact is that I had a terrible job getting the book back from my colleagues to review.
- With all the discussion about the fisheries issue, he said one telling detail is being left out.
- Sadly, the reality tells a different, a gloomier kind of story.
- Although intricate in their themes, each picture tells a thousand different stories while remaining beautifully simple.
- Each movement of his body tells the story described by song.
- However, a more telling statistic would be loss and damage rate per 1,000 weapons passes.
- The evidence of the accused tells an entirely different story, in that he says he did not arrange the marriage.
- Each painting tells a story and relates back to Stadium Australia and the workers.
- Within families a lot happens on the periphery and the most telling details are often seen out of the corner of one's eye.
- Lauren relates her story in a simple time sequence and gives telling details which make the narration gripping.
- However, the most telling evidence of its enduring value is that it is still in print three decades later.
- Figures tell part of the story but are not the sole reason for Manly's collapse.
- But the body of his report tells a different story.
Synonyms reveal, show, be evidence of, give evidence of, disclose, indicate, convey, signify - 1.4no object Divulge confidential or private information.
泄密；泄露 你保证不泄密。 Example sentencesExamples - And if Alan has whispered any secrets, she's not telling!
- Please don't tell, because I don't want to lose readers.
Synonyms give the game away, talk, tell tales, open one's mouth, tattle - 1.5tell oninformal no object Inform someone of the misdemeanors of.
〈非正式〉告发 friends don't tell on each other 是朋友就不会互相告发。 Example sentencesExamples - And then you can send off vindictive messages to the spammers, telling them you told on them.
- They had people who told on their neighbours, and this is going to happen here too, you just wait and see.
- ‘There are many cases where students have been told they'll be kicked out if they don't tell on their friends,’ says Manfred.
- The minute someone blabs, it's the fault of whoever broke the silence and told on Matt.
- Luckily for both of us, Tanya was not in the room at the time so she would never know about any of what happened because I knew that none of my friends were going to tell on me.
Synonyms inform against, inform on, tell tales on, give away, denounce, sell out, stab someone in the back
2with clause Decide or determine correctly or with certainty. 断定；判断 you can tell they're in love 你可以断定他们在恋爱。 Example sentencesExamples - From the way he's smiling, I can tell that he hasn't smiled in a long time.
- I can tell that she's been wanting to say this for a while, but that doesn't make me want to hear it any more.
- I look at her eyes in her own rear-view mirror and I can tell that she is laughing at me.
- Nobody can tell, but they will certainly have their work cut out for them.
- Talking to people in the area about it, one can tell that they are all very proud of their Medical Centre.
- I can tell that they imagine that ideal job in banking is lying just around the next corner.
- I can tell that he loves what he does, that all his dreams are busy coming true.
- From first impressions you can tell that this is a bike that has been designed with a true passion for the sport it was intended.
- You look at one of my documents on a screen, and hopefully you can tell that it's been crafted to make you want to read it.
- You can tell that they're starting to like you, that they want to trust you.
- It is perfect in every way, and I can tell that both my grandmother and my aunt agree.
- My friends have tried to be nice but I can tell that they all think we are going to break up eventually.
- As the music swells to a triumphant brass climax, I can tell that victory is within my grasp.
- There is an awkward silence and I can tell that they are wondering if I heard something that I shouldn't.
- The atmosphere is what makes it such a special place and you can tell that patients and staff alike love being here.
- The muscle in his jaw clenches, and you can tell he's trying hard not to start crying.
- I can tell that this is going to be one of those long-winded, rambling posts about nothing at all.
- Although he's a cool, controlled character, one can tell that Scott is a little hurt by this.
- I can tell that she knows something is not quite right about the scenario she walked in on.
- She can tell that for once Jason is surprised and she decides that that is a good thing.
Synonyms ascertain, decide, determine, work out, make out, deduce, discern, perceive, see, identify, recognize, understand, comprehend - 2.1with object and adverbial Distinguish (one person or thing) from another; perceive (the difference) between one person or thing and another.
区别，辨别，分辨，识别 I can't tell the difference between margarine and butter 我无法区分人造奶油和黄油。 Example sentencesExamples - The company is in big trouble if their commissioning editors can't tell the difference between the two.
- It just can't tell the difference between its narrowband and broadband users.
- He's the only person at the bar who can't tell the difference between beer and water.
- I'll wager she can't tell the difference between a Klieg light and sunlight.
- Some say they can't tell the difference between two teams when they are on the other wing!
- He can't tell the difference between the truth and what his lawyer is telling him.
- The bomb may be smart, but it can't tell the difference between a bunker and a school.
- Personally, I can't tell the difference between diamonds and bits of clear broken glass!
Synonyms distinguish, differentiate, tell apart, discriminate
3no object (of an experience or period of time) have a noticeable, typically harmful, effect on someone. 产生（不良）效果，发生（负面）影响 the strain of supporting the family was beginning to tell on him 养家糊口的重负开始让他吃不消了。 Example sentencesExamples - Confinement and want of fresh air was beginning to tell on her health and spirits.
- The strain is beginning to tell on her.
- We just did six gigs in seven days so it's told on him a bit.
- The pressure told on both sets of players as the game got bogged down in a midfield melee with precious little invention from the teams.
Synonyms take its toll on, leave its mark on, have an adverse effect on, affect - 3.1 (of a particular factor) play a part in the success or otherwise of someone or something.
（某种因素）影响，起作用 lack of fitness told against him on his first run of the season 身体欠佳影响了他在赛季中的第一次赛跑。 Example sentencesExamples - His personal failings also seem to have increased the strain and told against him.
- I believe one of them spoke of how her size had told against her when auditioning, even though her voice had been quite acceptable.
- Five pit stops against the winner's two was what told against the other two pilots.
4archaic with object Count (the members of a series or group) 〈古〉数，计算 the shepherd had told all his sheep 牧羊人清点了所有的羊。 Example sentencesExamples - He told the number of school that they had established, and how they obtained their scholars.
- He told the number of girls and officers standing in a line.
Synonyms calculation, enumeration, computation, reckoning, counting, telling, tally, tallying, totting up keep a tally of, keep a count of, keep a record of
nountɛltel (especially in poker) an unconscious action that is thought to betray an attempted deception. （尤作纸牌用语）（泄露试图作弊的）不经意动作 Example sentencesExamples - This book teaches you how to interpret tells, such as subtle shrugs, sighs, shaky hands, eye contact and much, much more.
- But I think you could waste a poker lifetime looking for tells like those.
- Also, experienced pros will give out false tells to fool players.
- Authentic tells are unbeknownst to the player and are unconscious.
- The secret interpretation of tells is not unique to this century.
PhrasesJudging from the available information. 根据现有的消息来判断 Example sentencesExamples - Well, does he understand, as far as you could tell, what kind of trouble he potentially is in unless he changes some of his positions?
- And so, what's the basic solution, as far as you can tell?
- How is this military campaign, as far as you can tell, moving along?
- Even fossilized bacteria, as far as one can tell, are the same as bacteria today.
- Are any other staffers of the United States Senate or Congress involved, as far as you can tell?
- So as far as you could tell, do you think the rumours of police infiltrating the protests to provoke violence were largely true?
- What is this lawsuit, as far as you can tell, really about?
- The inside of the house, as far as you could tell, was dark; empty.
- She was scarcely half his age, but the marriage was, as far as one can tell, a happy one.
- Film festival programmers, as far as one can tell, assiduously do their work.
I tell you (or I can tell you) Used to emphasize a statement. 我可以肯定地说，确实 that took me by surprise, I can tell you! 确实，那使我深感意外！ Example sentencesExamples - So we went out, and I tell you, this boy looked at his watch the whole time.
- You rarely, if ever, get to know the name of the grandmother on either side - male chauvinism, I tell you.
- Now I deliberately do the opposite and I tell you, it can be a very uncomfortable thing to do.
- Can I tell you, though, what else we saw were people who were on the verge of dying.
- Although I tell you, I am so very much not at my swiftest after I've been asleep for a couple of hours.
- Now, I tell you, does this not sound like a movie that is well worth seeing?
- I danced with this young girl and, I tell you, she had more attitude than Naomi.
- Maybe it's just the first signs of drought, but it's all very unnatural, I tell you.
- I wouldn't drink that the whole night, I tell you - it's going to give you a headache!
- I spend a lot of time chasing people for information, and it hurts, I tell you.
Synonyms assure, promise, give someone one's word, swear, guarantee
I (or I'll) tell you what Used to introduce a suggestion. 我的主张（或意见、建议）是；你听我说 I tell you what, why don't we meet for lunch tomorrow? 你听我说，为什么明天我们不碰头一块儿吃午餐呢？ Example sentencesExamples - But I'll tell you what, I'll gladly donate my tax cut to a worthy charity if you will.
- I'll tell you what, instead why don't you write a column about an outing with a girl?
- You can be optimistic, but I'll tell you what, don't let your guard down.
- And I'll tell you what, we will try to bring her back - do you think we will be able to do that?
- Listen, if you don't like it, I'll tell you what: sublet me your place.
Used as a way of pointing out that one's warnings, although ignored, have been proved to be well founded. 我早跟你说过的 Example sentencesExamples - ‘It wouldn't give me any pleasure in the event of an accident to say I told you so to the county council,’ he said.
- I feel bad for the guy and his family and really shouldn't say I told you so, but these guys need to get better advice!
- If you are against the war, you look at those images and say, ‘See, I told you so.’
- No matter how constructive or well meant, this week's people aren't interested in criticism, so don't say I told you so - even if you did.
- No, I've got nothing to say, except I told you so.
- In a few years' time, we will be saying I told you so.
- I hate to say ‘I told you so yet again,’ but, I told you so.
- I was somewhat reluctant to say I told you so, but there you have it.
- Even when I made mistakes, many of which he predicted, he never once said, I told you so.
- I hate to be the one to come back later on and say I told you so.
informal Describe the facts of a situation no matter how unpleasant they may be. 〈非正式〉如实说来，实事求是地说，说实话 Example sentencesExamples - It's a strong, realistic portrayal of life with young people who don't usually get a voice telling it like it is.
- But for all his faults, I like Gordon because he's one of the few celebrities that tells it like it is.
- They're saying we've told it like it is, and rather like the programmes.
- Her willingness to tell it like it is without apology keeps her work, no matter how widespread her critical acclaim, out of the mainstream.
- He just tells it like it is, and I think that's a great quality.
- This man tells it like it is whether you like it or not, and he gained my respect after two seconds of listening to him.
- He's real and tells it like it is and he's consistent.
- In case you are wondering what else it takes to be a research curator at one of the world's top historical attractions, Sarah kindly tells it like it is.
- And what if people were straightforward and told it like it is?
- He tells it like it is, and he won't apologize for that.
tell its own tale (or story) Be significant or revealing, without any further explanation or comment being necessary. 不言而喻，显而易见，不言自明 the worried expression on Helen's face told its own tale 海伦脸上焦急的表情不言而喻。 Example sentencesExamples - The drooped heads and lost facial expressions on Sunday evening last told its own story.
- The imagery tells its own story, though, as well.
- The frayed and severed string told its own tale.
- The hearty round of applause told its own story.
- Her worn and malnourished face told its own story.
- The look on their faces told its own story as they tried to take in the dreadful news of the tragedy that had befallen this community.
- The families and the children have, for the most part, stayed in the community that supported them through the nightmare, which tells its own story in terms of how the islanders regarded the outcome of the affair.
- The second half score of 2-8 to 0-5 tells its own tale.
- And at the end of the day an embarrassing 146 run defeat just about told its own story.
- Nevertheless, the Dublin episode told its own story.
informal Used as an ironic acknowledgment of one's familiarity with a difficult or unpleasant situation or experience described by someone else. 〈非正式〉我早知道了；还用你告诉我
informal Used as an expression of disbelief or incredulity. 〈非正式〉不见得吧；我不相信；哪有这种事，别胡说 Example sentencesExamples - "Oh yeah, tell me another," Larry snarls.
- So we have to take his word that it lets out less fumes than a two-wheeler (oh, yes, tell me another) and that it won't clog up our roads.
Be able to ascertain the time from reading the face of a clock or watch. 会认钟，会看钟点 Example sentencesExamples - I have a digital/analogue watch that tells the time in 42 countries, solar powered, alarm, stopwatch, date, waterproof to 100 metres.
- Mechanical watches also require servicing every three years to keep the watch working in good condition and tell the time accurately.
- He reasoned that the movement of a ship was guided by skilled intelligence, and a sundial or water clock told the time by design rather than by chance.
- A supermarket worker was able to tell the time on a digital watch but not on the analogue clock in the staff canteen.
- I looked at my watch but it was too dark to tell the time.
- Unmistakably, these watches do more than telling the time.
- The Swiss had cleverly realised that a watch isn't for telling the time at all, but is instead a fashion statement.
- Clocks told the time, windmills ground corn, cranes lifted things and so on.
- But if you want a work of art, a thing of beauty that also tells the time, buy a clock.
- Only the clock face is fairly simple and that is because people needed to be able to tell the time easily.
tell someone where to get off (or where they get off) informal Angrily dismiss or rebuke someone. 〈非正式〉严厉斥责，使碰一鼻子灰；叫…不要自以为了不起 Example sentencesExamples - At 21, if I approached a 40-year-old hard-nut comedian to play my new little comedy club in York, they'd probably tell me where to get off!
- So if they ask my company to pay a license fee, I'll be recommending that we tell them where to get off.
- If he tried that with me now, I'd tell him where to get off.
- She was just about to tell him where to get off (once again) when something rather peculiar caught her eyes.
- But I told him where to get off and he hasn't spoken to me since.
- He'd tell her where to get off, said a defiant voice.
- He must be a real softie and too shy to tell her where to get off!
- Yeah I would have told him where to get off after he acted like a jerk about the evidence you mentioned.
tell someone where to put (or what to do with) something informal Angrily or emphatically reject something. 〈非正式〉断然拒绝，一口回绝 I told him what he could do with his diamond 我断然拒绝他的钻石。 Example sentencesExamples - The county council visited the Church Area Council and the residents' views were that they did not want them and they told them where to put it.
- But seriously, though, if I don't like where you have got it, I can tell you where to put it, sort to speak.
- I may very well have told him where to put his donation!
informal Used to convey that one is not prepared to divulge secret or confidential information. 〈非正式〉不走露风声；不泄密 Example sentencesExamples - Last year, my gifts were mostly made up of all the books that had inspired me in the previous year, coupled with small cartoon-like cards; and this year… well, that would be telling.
- Well, that would be telling now, wouldn't it?
- The old man smiled and winked, ‘now that would be telling!’
- There's even a sweet mystery to be had in the form of… but that would be telling.
- ‘One of them is quite famous but that would be telling,’ Tim teases.
- As for replying to your wonderment over whether or not Jesse's fallen for Will just a little bit… well, that would be telling.
- And that would be telling… Plus I'm not sure yet.
- ‘Now that would be telling,’ she grinned as she took a seat beside Kaye.
Used to convey the impossibility of knowing what has happened or will happen. 不可知道；很难知道 there's no telling how she will react 无法知道她的反应将会怎样。 Example sentencesExamples - Because there is no telling whether these children would have survived had we gone down the path you are suggesting.
- And he couldn't draw up a plan for his sculptures for one simple reason: The river supplies his materials, and there is no telling what the river will bring.
- He is safe and unharmed physically, but when you see people jump from buildings and been part of such a terrible ordeal, there is no telling what he may have suffered psychologically.
- Still, there is no telling whether as president he would be so unequivocal.
- Should the elections be held freely, there is no telling what the outcome will be.
- With bricks going through the windows, there is no telling what injuries could have been caused.
- Also, there is no telling whether or not you will be caught one day.
- Of course, there is no telling how far the current climate of cigar taxation and smoking-bans will go.
- It is free to visit - though there is no telling for how long.
- I think there is no telling what it might launch.
informal Used to emphasize that one is already well aware of something or in complete agreement with a statement. 〈非正式〉还要你告诉我；我早就知道了；我完全同意 Example sentencesExamples - You're telling me. It's so hard.
Phrasal VerbsReprimand or scold someone. 〈非正式〉数落，责备 my parents told me off for coming home late 父母责备我回家迟了。 Example sentencesExamples - Once a car stopped and the driver got out and told me off for keeping such a dangerous animal.
- Kids no longer quake in the street when a policeman tells them off.
- I really should have told her off when I had the chance.
- When I told them off for calling us names and bullying, they became very abusive,’ she said.
- Adults also punish children by shouting, telling them off, sending them to their room, and withdrawing privileges.
- These are the terms this man used to so brilliantly tell us off.
- Teachers' leaders are now calling for a ban on mobile phones in the classroom because children are using them to text message or speak to their parents as soon as they have been told off.
- I never told him off for spending time tailoring instead of studying.
- My psychologist tells me off for thinking like that.
- He has pulled my hair on the bus and, recently, he yelled at me so I told him off.
- Richard tends to be much stricter with Lucie in general and is fed up of being the bad guy who tells Lucie off and reprimands her.
- My parents were forever telling me off but I never listened to them.
- I am now forced to look for more ingenious ways of telling someone off when they get me mad.
- He reluctantly agrees, and Susan tells him off.
- It would be another slight to his poor, terrified parents, who were clearly unable to ever tell him off for fear of the consequences.
- I do not suffer fools gladly, but somehow I cannot get myself to tell her off!
- She had to tell me off, otherwise she would be implicitly encouraging the students to bring drinks into the library.
- If I told lies I was told off and if I had dared to show my parents up in a shop, I wouldn't have been shouted at - I would have been taken home with nothing.
- Somehow he could never tell her off or scold her when she looked at him like that.
- As a matter of fact, it had a very dramatic ending, with me telling him off and storming out of the house, with the kids cheering.
Synonyms reprimand, rebuke, reproach, scold, admonish, reprove, remonstrate with, chastise, chide, upbraid, berate, take to task, pull up, castigate, lambaste, read someone the riot act, give someone a piece of one's mind, haul over the coals, criticize, censure
OriginOld English tellan ‘relate, count, estimate’, of Germanic origin; related to German zählen ‘reckon, count’, erzählen ‘recount, relate’, also to tale. nounteltɛl Archaeology (in the Middle East) an artificial mound formed by the accumulated remains of ancient settlements. 〔考古〕（中东）台形（土墩）遗址（由远古人村落遗迹堆积而成） Example sentencesExamples - He narrowly escaped being blown up by a mine when he was exploring a tell outside the city.
- Ancient cities are now identified by the mounds raised above the surrounding terrain, called tells.
- In the digital elevation model the small conical mound of a tell is represented by a characteristic point pattern, superposed onto the natural topography.
OriginMid 19th century: from Arabic tall ‘hillock’. |