to tell on

Examples

• All

• She was afraid to tell on him because she knew he would get in trouble.

• "Then I guess I'd have no alternative but to tell on you."

  Fiction book (2002)

• And then we try to see who would tell on someone.

• And I know that when people like you tell on children like me, it's-- it's for our own good.

  The Pit (1981)

• I'm not going to tell on you.

  Evilenko (2004)

• I'm gonna tell Mom on you.

  This Is 40 (2012)

• You're not gonna tell on me, are you?

  Heartthrob (2017)

• You won't tell on me, will you?

  Double Indemnity (1944)

• I would bite knives before I'd tell on you, I told him.

  Fiction book (1993)

• But then you'll tell on me and my mother, and we'll be in trouble, which I don't want.

  Jojo Rabbit (2019)

Synonyms

R

to report

vsto tell on

686 1.6

To tell someone in authority that a person has broken a rule or law

is similar but often implies the person will get in trouble

B

to betray

vsto tell on

143 4.6

Tell someone's secret to other people

is narrower, meaning specifically to tell an authority about wrongdoing

R

to rat out

vsto tell on

• Informal

76 8.6

To tell the police or another authority about someone's bad action, betraying their trust

is similar but may be used more widely for casual reporting

R

to rat

vsto tell on

• Informal

70 8.8

To betray others by telling secret information about them

is focused specifically on causing the person to get in trouble

I

to inform

vsto tell on

41 6.8

To secretly tell the police about someone's illegal actions

is like this but can be used for informal or everyday complaints

B

to blow the whistle

vsto tell on

37 5.1

To tell the authorities or the public about wrongdoing

is more about private complaints that lead to someone getting in trouble

S

to snitch

vsto tell on

• Slang

36 7.9

To secretly tell the police or a person in charge about someone's bad actions

shares secrecy but is neutral about betrayal or moral judgment

D

to denounce

vsto tell on

• Formal

19 6.5

Tell authorities about someone, often exposing them to punishment

is usually private and directed to an authority rather than public exposure

S

to shop

vsto tell on

• Informal

12 8.0

To tell the police or a manager that someone did something wrong

focuses more on causing official trouble for the reported person

T

to tattle

vsto tell on

• Informal

8 7.0

Tell a person in charge about someone else's bad actions in a childish way

is about informing an authority about wrongdoing rather than childish tattling

T

to tattle on

vsto tell on

• Informal

5 7.5

To tell a person in charge that someone did something wrong to get them in trouble

is similar but is not limited to petty or childish motives

G

to grass

vsto tell on

• Slang

1 9.9

To tell the police that someone has done something wrong

is the neutral phrase for informing an authority, not marked slang

D

to dob in

vsto tell on

• UK

1 9.9

To tell the police or a teacher that someone did something wrong

is broader and can apply in both formal and informal situations

Antonyms

P

to protect

∞ 1.0

To keep someone or something safe from harm

S

to shield

146 2.7

To protect someone or something from harm

How Serious

to expose

342 4.1

to denounce

• Formal

115 6.8

to report

686 1.6

to tell on

• Informal

35 4.4

to snitch

• Slang

36 7.9

to tattle

• Informal

8 7.0

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology