tell off
Verbally dress down
To tell someone off is to reprimand them sharply, usually for a specific offense: She told him off for showing up late again.
The phrase suggests direct, sometimes angry criticism delivered face-to-face.
In British military usage, to tell off soldiers is to assign them to a particular duty.
Rebuke harshly
- rebukeExpress sharp disapproval
- admonishReprove with counsel
- chideRebuke mildly
- berateCriticize severely and lengthily
reproach · chastise · upbraid · lecture · censure · criticize · castigate · denounce
Intense violent anger
- rageIntense, violent anger
- outrageFierce moral indignation
- indignationAnger from mistreatment
- exasperationIntense weary annoyance
irritation · frustration · temper · wrath · resentment · fuming · seething · livid
Workplace superior
- supervisorOne who directs workers
- managerOne who directs others
- parentMother or father
- teacherOne who instructs others
superior · sergeant · foreman · captain · principal · coach · director · commander
Verbally oppose another's view
- clashViolent disagreement or collision
- disputeVerbal clash over differences
- quarrelAngry verbal dispute
- confrontFace squarely, address directly
challenge · stand up to · face down · have words · altercation · row · spat · showdown
scold
Rebuke harshly
berate · reproach · chastise · upbraid · lecture · censure · criticize · castigate · denounce · lambaste
fury
Intense violent anger
- rageIntense, violent anger
- outrageFierce moral indignation
- indignationAnger from mistreatment
exasperation · irritation · frustration · temper · wrath · resentment · fuming · seething · livid · irate
boss
Workplace superior
- supervisorOne who directs workers
- managerOne who directs others
- parentMother or father
teacher · superior · sergeant · foreman · captain · principal · coach · director · commander · headmaster
argue
Verbally oppose another's view
- clashViolent disagreement or collision
- disputeVerbal clash over differences
- quarrelAngry verbal dispute
confront · challenge · stand up to · face down · have words · altercation · row · spat · showdown · tiff
tell offpraise
Expression of approval
compliment · commend · congratulate · laud · applaud
tell offback down
Withdraw from a stance
bite one's tongue · hold one's peace · say nothing · turn a blind eye
off, tell, telling, teller, tells, retell, untold, foretell, telltale