tell on

• Jemandem (meist einer Autoritätsperson wie Eltern oder Lehrern) mitteilen, dass eine andere Person etwas Verbotenes oder Falsches getan hat; häufig mit dem Nebenton des Verpetzens oder Anschwärzens.

A phrasal verb used to indicate the act of reporting someone's wrongdoing or secret to an authority figure, often a parent or teacher.

unzählbar · unregelmäßiges Verb · intransitiv · Phrasal, untrennbar

1. Report someone's misbehaviorinformal

   To inform an authority figure about someone's wrongdoing or rule-breaking.

   Petzen

   • The little boy told on his sister for stealing cookies.
   • If you break the rules, someone might tell on you.
   • She told on her classmates for cheating during the test.

   Synonymereportshopsnitchtattle

   Antonymecoverdefendprotectshield

2. Have a noticeable effectinformal

   To cause a visible or negative effect on someone, especially over time.

   Sich bemerkbar machen

   • The long hours of work are starting to tell on his health.
   • Stress can tell on a person's appearance.
   • The lack of sleep began to tell on her concentration.

   Synonymeaffectshowweigh on

Grundverbtell