verb to reprimand or scold someone angrily or forcefully
A parent may tell off their child for not following the rules.
A speaker may tell off an audience member for being disruptive.
A teacher may tell off a student for misbehaving in class.
A partner may tell off their significant other for forgetting an important event.
A boss may tell off an employee for not meeting deadlines.
A customer may tell off a representative for poor service.
A writer may use 'tell off' in dialogue to show a character expressing anger or frustration towards another character. For example, 'She told off her boss for constantly criticizing her work.'
A psychologist may use 'tell off' in therapy sessions to discuss assertiveness and setting boundaries. For example, 'It's important to communicate your feelings assertively without resorting to telling someone off.'
A teacher may use 'tell off' to describe disciplining a student for misbehavior. For example, 'I had to tell off a student for talking during the lesson.'
A manager may use 'tell off' to describe reprimanding an employee for a mistake. For example, 'I had to tell off one of my team members for missing an important deadline.'