tell on
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
To tell about, to talk of, to inform against. (This is formed by a simple misuse of the preposition.)
Era: ca. 1874 (Victorian)
Where it’s used:
Origin
British & Irish English
Sources & notes
Historical definition reproduced from Hotten’s The Slang Dictionary (1874, public domain; Project Gutenberg #42108, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “tell on” mean?
To tell about, to talk of, to inform against. (This is formed by a simple misuse of the preposition.)
Is “tell on” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.