Tell on Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈtɛɫ/ /ˈɑn/, /ˈɔn

TEL-ahn, TEL-awn

UK

tˈɛl/ /ˈɒn

TEL-on

Definition

To inform someone in authority (like a teacher or parent) about another person's wrongdoing or secret, often used among children.

Usage & Nuances

"Tell on" is informal, mostly used by and about children. Typical phrases: 'Don't tell on me!', 'He told on his sister.' More formal: 'report' or 'inform on.' Does NOT mean 'report' in the sense of journalism. Can sound negative or disloyal.

• Spanish: delatar - acusar (a alguien)
• Portuguese (BR): dedurar - contar (sobre alguém)
• Portuguese (PT): bufar - denunciar (alguém)
• Chinese (Simplified): 告发 - 打小报告
• Chinese (Traditional): 告發 - 打小報告
• Hindi: चुगली करना - शिकायत करना
• Arabic: يفشي (سرًّا أو خطأ) - يبلغ عن
• Bengali: ফাঁস করে দেওয়া -告 (inform someone in authority about wrongdoing)
• Russian: ябедничать - стучать (разговорно)
• Japanese: 告げ口する - 密告する (かっこくする)
• Vietnamese: mách lẻo - méc
• Korean: 고자질하다 - 이르다
• Turkish: ispiyonlamak - gammazlamak
• Urdu: شکایت کرنا (کسی افسر یا بڑوں کو) - چغلی کھانا
• Indonesian: mengadu - melapor (tentang kesalahan orang lain ke pihak berwenang)

Example Sentences

Please don't tell on me to the teacher.

basic

He told on his friend for breaking the window.

basic

Kids sometimes tell on each other to get out of trouble.

basic

If you tell on your brother, he'll get really mad at you.

natural

She threatened to tell on him if he didn't help her.

natural

Nobody likes it when you tell on your friends just to avoid blame.

natural