tell off

verb

1. informal,  to reprimand; scold

   they told me off for stealing apples

2. to count and dismiss

   he told off four more soldiers

Other Word Forms

• telling off noun

Idioms and Phrases

Rebuke severely, reprimand, as in It's time someone told her off about her behavior. There is also a synonymous expression, tell someone where to get off, as in When he called back a third time, I told him where to get off. [Colloquial; early 1900s] Also see get off, def. 7.

Example Sentences

“I quite like broad humor and s— humor, and I keep getting told off for it,” he says, erupting into a devilish laugh.

From Los Angeles Times

Pupil Lilly-Belle, 12, was told off in her first week at the school because she was wearing her sister's old skirts which were not the right length.

From BBC

Adrien was just sitting there, like a teenager being told off in a principal’s office.

From Los Angeles Times

"I would just daydream, do nothing, and I'd probably get told off a bunch."

From BBC

She was once told off for asking to learn Mandarin.

From BBC