as in to rail (at or against)
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Recent Examples of tell off
Deliverance is a game about being told off for sleeping in other people's beds.
—
David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Feb. 2025
The West Coast rapper took to TikTok to share a 50 Cent meme where the Queens rapper was confused about being told off by Floyd Mayweather.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 3 Sep. 2019
Two small feral-looking kids, ragged, both looked about seven years old, had been told off several times for knocking some of these flimsy chairs to one side as if to let the horse out.
—Ali Smith, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
The text overlay reads: POV you're being told off at 24 and 27.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
The Panathinaikos substitutes and coaches, arms locked on the touchline, were told off for encroaching onto the pitch.
—Nick Miller, The Athletic, 16 Aug. 2024
Despite being told off, the baubles remained too exciting.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
Is Bissouma forgiven? Ange Postecoglou said on Friday that Yves Bissouma’s response to his suspension for his laughing gas misdemeanour had been like a punished child, whose behaviour is perfect for the two days after being told off.
—Jack Pitt-Brooke, The Athletic, 24 Aug. 2024
The crowd then roared with cheers when Kendrick told off the director.
—Zack Sharf, Variety, 28 Oct. 2024
David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Feb. 2025
The West Coast rapper took to TikTok to share a 50 Cent meme where the Queens rapper was confused about being told off by Floyd Mayweather.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 3 Sep. 2019
Two small feral-looking kids, ragged, both looked about seven years old, had been told off several times for knocking some of these flimsy chairs to one side as if to let the horse out.
—Ali Smith, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
The text overlay reads: POV you're being told off at 24 and 27.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
The Panathinaikos substitutes and coaches, arms locked on the touchline, were told off for encroaching onto the pitch.
—Nick Miller, The Athletic, 16 Aug. 2024
Despite being told off, the baubles remained too exciting.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
Is Bissouma forgiven? Ange Postecoglou said on Friday that Yves Bissouma’s response to his suspension for his laughing gas misdemeanour had been like a punished child, whose behaviour is perfect for the two days after being told off.
—Jack Pitt-Brooke, The Athletic, 24 Aug. 2024
The crowd then roared with cheers when Kendrick told off the director.
—Zack Sharf, Variety, 28 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tell off
Verb
-
By sector, technology suffered the worst, with job cuts up 128 percent on-month to 7,488, followed by automotive (123 percent), services (106 percent), retail (96 percent), and media and news (27 percent).—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
13 Feb. 2025
-
In the frying process, those odd crumbles can be cut up in a casual manner with a spatula.—
Cathy Thomas,
Orange County Register,
10 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
But to chew out his boss--Edwin Stanton, secretary of war--would be more than just getting close to the line of insubordination.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
12 Feb. 2025
-
There’s also a story line of Harper being chewed out by Petra when Petra finds out how Harper actually got the information necessary to short Pierpoint, i.e., illegally.—
Nina Li Coomes,
Vulture,
22 Sep. 2024
Verb
-
By then, her voice had worn ragged — lower in pitch, rougher in tone, better suited for more sophisticated songs.—
Robert Levine,
Billboard,
1 Feb. 2025
-
Two small feral-looking kids, ragged, both looked about seven years old, had been told off several times for knocking some of these flimsy chairs to one side as if to let the horse out.—
Ali Smith,
Harper's Magazine,
2 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
What to Know Meghan dressed down for the selfie video in blue jeans and a black top which bore the names of her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
5 Feb. 2025
-
The Free Assembly Spring Collection is filled with timeless options, including polo shirts, patchwork jeans, pleated skirts, and button down tops that can easily be dressed up to the office or a date night or dressed down for trips to the grocery store, beachside walks, or cozy days indoors.—
Alicia Geigel,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
However, this assistance can only be provided by accredited agents who are trained, tested, overseen and when appropriate, disciplined and punished by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).—
Tom Jurkowsky,
Baltimore Sun,
19 Feb. 2025
-
With that, Rambo decides to cross the border to rescue her and punish those responsible.—
Samantha Stutsman,
People.com,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
At one point, an appalled Robinson came outside to scold her daughter.—
Rachel DeSantis,
People.com,
13 Feb. 2025
-
On the other side of the FaceTime call is none other than Set It Off star Vivica Fox, who scolds Glo for sleeping in.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
4 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
That play included Kelce jawing at Buffalo safety Damar Hamlin.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
2 Feb. 2025
-
After jawing with the Buccaneers defenders, Daniels converted that crucial third down in the final minute, setting up Washington’s 37-yard game-winning field goal to beat Tampa Bay, 23-20.—
NBC News,
NBC News,
13 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Every purchase is scrutinized — last week, I was lectured for buying a name-brand cereal.—
Anna Pulley,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2025
-
For Vance to lecture the Germans on how to govern themselves—the Germans, who rose from the traumas of Nazism to build a vibrant and enduring democracy—was inappropriate and bizarre.—
Dexter Filkins,
The New Yorker,
20 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tell off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tell%20off. Accessed 28 Feb. 2025.
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