tell off
verb
to reprimand; scold
telling off
-
a word derived from
tell off.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
For those who still don’t understand the situation, please rewatch Matt Hooper telling off Mayor Vaughn in “Jaws.”
From Salon ● Aug. 8, 2025
Conservative Party deputy chairman Lee Anderson faces a telling off for using a Parliament rooftop to film a promotional video for his GB News show.
From BBC ● Jun. 30, 2023
She even goes so far as to simply read portions of the stories she’s telling off of note cards.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 10, 2022
“I think it was a little naive perhaps to think that just Biden telling off Putin would actually lead to anything in and of itself,” Mr. Ellis said.
From Washington Times ● Jul. 18, 2021
“I didn’t accuse,” Mr. Mwila said, as cool as Sidney Poitier telling off the white racist sheriff in the movie In the Heat of the Night.
From "P.S. Be Eleven" by Rita Williams-Garcia
