v. 1. To name or count one by one and give some special duty to; give a share to. Five boy scouts were told off to clean the camp. 2. informal To speak to angrily or sharply; attack with words; scold. Mr. Black got angry and told off the boss. Bobby kept pulling Sally's hair; finally she got angry and told him where to get off.
Synonym: TELL ONE WHERE TO GET OFF.
Compare: GIVE A PIECE OF ONE'S MIND, LAY DOWN THE LAW, TELL A THING OR TWO.