What does "tell on" mean?

Inform on someone, especially to a person in authority. For example: He told on his sister.

tell on

phrasal verb·1 sense·particle on

Meanings

Why “on”? An action is directed onto a person, thing or weakness as its target.

“He told on his sister.”

He informed on his sister to someone in authority.

“The boy told on his cousin.”

The boy informed on his cousin to someone in authority.

Don't confuse with

Tell on means inform on someone, especially to a person in authority. Tell off means speak angrily to someone for doing something wrong.

Test yourself

“He told on his sister.” What does it mean?

Nearby in the meaning map

Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.

tell off

A contrast learners often mix up

Speak angrily to someone for doing something wrong

cheat on

Same on pattern: target

Be unfaithful to a partner

dote on

Same on pattern: target

Show extreme affection toward someone

fall on

Same on pattern: target

Attack someone fiercely

feast on

Same on pattern: target

Eat a large amount of a particular food with enjoyment

feed on

Same on pattern: target

Eat a particular food regularly

frown on

Same on pattern: target

Disapprove of something

gang up on

Same on pattern: target

Join together as a group to threaten or attack one person

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