All phrasal verbs
tell
/tɛl/2 phrasal verbsThe plain verb means to communicate or discern.
Tell off is to scold someone. Tell apart is to distinguish two similar things — the only common phrasal verb where TELL means perceive rather than speak.
Side by side
Every TELL phrasal verb, with the one line that keeps it apart from its siblings. Tap any one to open it.
| Phrasal verb | Means | How to remember it |
|---|---|---|
| tell offSeparable | scold someone angrily | OFF = the criticism is fired at them. |
| tell apartSeparable | distinguish between two similar things | APART = you separate them mentally. |