tell on
IdiomsExample Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The final product is not that — there are stories that I tell on the record, but every song is not a story song.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 1, 2026
My daughter loved—and believed—the mythical stories Bruce would tell on stage about how his saxophonist buddy Clarence Clemons, who he dubbed “The Big Man,” joined the band.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 24, 2025
Most people can’t help but tell on themselves.
From Salon ● Feb. 12, 2025
The pressure of the chase began to tell on Spirit until Gibson came in and struck five fours from her first six balls to give her side the momentum.
From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2024
“I think Elizabeth was just going to drop in to see Mary—and pretend to be surprised when she saw you—but she was afraid I’d tell on her!”
From "Carry On, Mr. Bowditch" by Jean Lee Latham
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
