tell off
Word Rarity
Common
Frequency: Zipf frequency 5.38 in modern English
13
Scrabble Score
7
Letters
2
Syllables
5
Unique Chars
Meaning
Example Sentences
- "To equalize a battalion is to tell off a certain number of companies, usually eight, in such a manner that the several component parts shall consist of the same number of men."
- "The provisions were packed over night and sent down by boat, in charge of the steward of the Gtdnare or some person specially told off for the purpose."
- "When they were quite ready, the now triumphant Toad led his companions to the paddock and set them to capture the old grey horse, who, without having been consulted, and to his own extreme annoyance, had been told off by Toad for the dustiest job in this dusty expedition. He frankly preferred the paddock, and took a deal of catching."
- "The Recruit looked thoughtful and told off the days on his fingers."
- "Joel's boss told him off for being late again."
Usage
Inflected Forms
Synonyms
give somebody a piece of one's mind
give somebody what-for
read somebody the riot act
scold
enumerate
number
brush down