tell on
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle on
Meanings
Inform on someone, especially to a person in authority
Why “on”? An action is directed onto a person, thing or weakness as its target.
“He told on his sister.”
“The boy told on his friend for breaking the window.”
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
call on
Same on pattern: target
Ask someone to do something formally
cheat on
Same on pattern: target
Be unfaithful to a partner
come on
Same on pattern: target
Used to encourage, hurry or challenge someone; Begin to develop, especially an illness or weather; Start working or be turned on; Make progress or improve; Show romantic or sexual interest in someone, often in a direct way; Be broadcast on television or radio
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
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