Collocations are a pair or group of words that are habitually juxtaposed. Idioms are a group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words.
Collocation and idioms of tell
List of common expressions with "tell" with example sentences. Sentences can be formed as "verb and noun" or used as "idioms". Here are some:
1. Tell a lie: To tell a lie.
- My mother and dad taught me never to tell a lie.
2. Tell (the) time
A: Of a person, to be able to understand the time of day by looking at an analog clock or watch.
- Now that many young children carry phones around with them, it's becoming harder and harder to teach them how to tell time.
B: Of a clock or watch, to keep track of the current time of day.
- My grandfather's old pocket watch doesn't tell the time anymore, but I really like the look of having it on me.
3. Tell the difference: To notice the difference.
- Can you tell the difference between Rat and Mouse?
4. Tell the truth: To tell the truth.
- I felt it was my duty to tell them the truth.
5. Tell your name: To tell your name.
- If I get an award, I'll tell your name first on the stage.
6. Tell a different story: To give an account or provide information that differs from or conflicts with what someone else has said.
- The company's official statement would lead you to believe his resignation was voluntary, but he's been telling a different story in recent interviews.
7. Tell (someone) a thing or two (about someone or something)
A: To inform someone of the facts or several pieces of information (about someone or something).
- I know you're from the countryside and not used to city folk, so let me tell you a thing or two about New Yorkers.
B: To correct or confront someone about his, her, or their mistaken belief or incorrect point of view (about someone or something).
- The professor is teaching us some really antiquated material about quantum physics. I think I'll go tell him a thing or two about it after class.
8. Tell against: To impact on or affect someone or something in a particularly disadvantageous, detrimental, or otherwise adverse manner.
- The lineup of superstar athletes should have told against the opposition, an band of newcomers and B-listers, but the underdogs' tenacity and energy saw them manage a stunning upset.
9. Tell another tale: To give an account or provide information that differs from or conflicts with what someone else has said.
- The company's official statement would lead you to believe his resignation was voluntary, but he's been telling another tale in recent interviews.
10. Tell (someone or something) from (someone or something else)
A: To be able to discern or distinguish some thing as being distinct and unique compared to something else.
- It's very difficult to tell the real paintings from the counterfeits, but there are a few things we can look for to be sure.
B: To be able to perceive, recognize, or understand something from some piece or amount of evidence. In this usage, the noun or pronoun between "tell" and "from" is sometimes relocated to the end of the clause.
- What's wrong? I can tell you're upset from the tone in your voice.
11. Tell it like it is: To speak bluntly, directly, and truthfully, even if what is being said is undesirable to the listener.
- I always respect employees who are willing to tell it like it is, rather than trying to sugarcoat everything to save a little face.
12. Tell it to the judge: Your claims of innocence won't stop me from arresting you or bringing you to justice, so you might as well save them for your trial.
- A: Wait, you can't arrest me! I'm innocent! I don't know how that money got there, I swear!.
- B: Yeah, yeah, tell it to the judge.
13. Tell me another: A sarcastic comment said when one does not believe or is skeptical of what someone is telling them. The expression treats what was said as a joke, i.e., it was so untrue or unlikely that it was funny.
- You're actually going to be on time tonight? Oh, sure, tell me another!
14. (go) tell it/that to the marines: A scornful or incredulous response to a story or statement that one does not believe or finds ridiculous.
- A: You know, my dad used to play basketball with the president when they were both kids.
- B: Ah, go tell it to the marines! Why do you tell such fibs?
15. Tell the truth and shame the devil: We must always tell the truth, even when it would be to our benefit or advantage to tell a lie.
- A: But you could go to jail if you tell the police what happened!
- B: Maybe. But I was raised to tell the truth and shame the devil.
- Tom and his twin always dress so similarly, so I never can tell which is which.
17. Tell-all
A: Adjective Exposing, sharing, or revealing all the intimate, scandalous, or salacious details (of something).
- The aide agreed to give a tell-all interview about her affair with the senator.
B: Noun Some piece of writing that exposes or reveals the intimate, scandalous, or salacious details (of something).
- The actor's tell-all about his experiences in the film industry has shot up to the top of the national bestseller list.
18. Tell (one to one's) face: To say something directly and unambiguously to one, especially when it is something critical, derogatory, inflammatory, or otherwise negative.
- I know she spreads a lot of nasty stuff about me behind my back, but she's too cowardly to ever tell me to my face.
19. Tell (one) where to get off: To express one's frustration or anger with one in an explicit, aggressive way.
- If she assigns me one more project, I'm going to tell her where to get off!
20. Tell someone where to get off: To express one's frustration or anger with one in an explicit, aggressive way.
- If she assigns me one more project, I'm going to tell her where to get off!
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