/ tel; NAmE / verb
( told , told / təʊld; NAmE toʊld/)
GIVE INFORMATION
1.
tell sb (sth) | tell sth to sb ( of a person ) to give information to sb by speaking or writing :
[ vn , vnn ]
He told the news to everybody he saw.
He told everybody he saw the news.
[ vn ]
Why wasn't I told about the accident?
[ vnn ]
Did she tell you her name?
What did I tell you ? (= you should have listened to my advice)
[ vn ( that )]
They've told us (that) they're not coming.
I kept telling myself (that) everything was OK.
Are you telling me you didn't have any help with this? (= I don't believe what you have said)
[ vn wh- ]
Tell me where you live.
[ vn speech ]
'I'm ready to go now,' he told her.
➡ note at say
2.
( of some writing, an instrument, a sign, etc. ) to give information about sth :
[ vnn ]
The advertisement told us very little about the product.
[ vn wh- ]
This gauge tells you how much fuel you have left.
[ vn ( that )]
The sound of his breathing told her (that) he was asleep.
EXPRESS IN WORDS
3.
to express sth in words :
[ vn ]
to tell stories / jokes / lies
Are you sure you're telling the truth ?
[ vn wh- ]
I can't tell you how happy I am.
SECRET
4.
[ v ] to let sb know a secret :
Promise you won't tell.
'Who are you going out with tonight?' ' That would be telling !' (= it's a secret)
ORDER
5.
to order or advise sb to do sth :
[ vn to inf ]
He was told to sit down and wait.
There was a sign telling motorists to slow down.
I kept telling myself to keep calm.
[ vnn ]
Do what I tell you.
[ vn ]
Children must do as they're told .
[ vn wh- ]
Don't tell me what to do!
[ vn ( that )]
The doctor told me (that) I should eat less fat.
➡ note at order , say
KNOW / JUDGE
6.
(not used in the progressive tenses) to know, see or judge sth correctly :
[ v ]
I think he's happy. It's hard to tell .
As far as I can tell , she's enjoying the course.
[ v ( that )]
I could tell (that) he was angry from his expression.
[ v wh- ]
'That's not an original.' 'How can you tell?'
The only way to tell if you like something is by trying it.
DISTINGUISH
7.
tell A from B (not used in the progressive tenses or in the passive) to distinguish one thing or person from another :
[ vn ]
It was hard to tell the difference between the two versions.
Can you tell Tom from his twin brother?
It's difficult to tell them apart .
[ v wh- ]
The kittens look exactly alike—how can you tell which is which ?
HAVE EFFECT
8.
[ v ] tell (on sb) to have an effect on sb/sth, especially a bad one :
The strain was beginning to tell on the rescue team.
•
IDIOMS
- all told
- don't tell me
- I / I'll tell you what
- I tell you | I can tell you | I'm telling you
- I told you (so)
- live, etc. to tell the tale
- tell a different story / tale
- tell its own tale / story
- tell me
- tell me about it
- tell me another!
- tell tales (about sth / on sb)
- tell the time
- tell sb where to get off / where they can get off
- tell sb where to put / stick sth | tell sb what they can do with sth
- there's no telling
- to tell (you) the truth
- you can never tell | you never can tell
- you're telling me!
—more at hear , kiss verb , little adjective , thing , time noun , truth
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- tell against sb
- tell of sth
- tell sb off (for sth / for doing sth)
- tell on sb
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English tellan relate, count, estimate , of Germanic origin; related to German zählen reckon, count, erzählen recount, relate, also to tale .