tell on

Idioms and Phrases

Tattle on, inform on, as in Marjorie said she'd tell on him if he pulled her hair again . This seemingly modern term appeared in a 1539 translation of the Bible (I Samuel 27:11): “David saved neither man nor woman ... for fear (said he) lest they should tell on us.”

Related Words

• advise
• apprise
• brief
• caution
• educate
• instruct
• notify
• tell
• update
• warn