tell off

British  

verb

1. informal to reprimand; scold

   they told me off for stealing apples

2. to count and dismiss

   he told off four more soldiers

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tell off Idioms  

1. 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.

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Other Word Forms

• telling off
  noun

Example Sentences

Ill off, poor or unfortunate; Tell off, to count: to assign, as for a special duty; Well off, rich, well provided.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) by Various

Tell off the watch, and send the crew to supper.

From The Ruined Cities of Zululand by Walmsley, Hugh Mulleneux

Tell off a couple of hands to guard the prisoners and another half-dozen to wait outside in case there is any trouble.

From Rounding up the Raider A Naval Story of the Great War by Westerman, Percy F. (Percy Francis)

"Tell off a detachment of consolation," Mr. Red House went on; "look here, our kids—who'll go and talk to the poor little chap?"

From New Treasure Seekers or, The Bastable Children in Search of a Fortune by Nesbit, E. (Edith)

Tell off six men from each battalion to accompany me, and take charge of the carts.

From Under Wellington's Command A Tale of the Peninsular War by Paget, Walter