Tell off phrasal verb spoken language
Used to describe scolding or reprimanding someone.
My mother told me off for skipping the class yesterday.
Even if this is his fault, you don't have a right to tell him off.
Used to describe assigning someone to a particular task.
We were told off to protect the ambassadors when the conference takes place.
The boss told off two more soldiers to the village's outskirts.
A harsh reproof
1. To dress more informally than usual
2. To scold someone harshly
To scold someone severely or angrily
To secretly punish or rebuke someone for doing something.
To scold someone
It is mostly used in the present tense.