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What is "to tell on"

The Collaborative International Dictionary
To tell on

Tell \Tell\, v. i.

  1. To give an account; to make report.

    That I may publish with the voice of thankgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.
    --Ps. xxvi. 7.

  2. To take effect; to produce a marked effect; as, every shot tells; every expression tells. To tell of.

    1. To speak of; to mention; to narrate or describe.

    2. To inform against; to disclose some fault of.

      To tell on, to inform against. [Archaic & Colloq.]

      Lest they should tell on us, saying, So did David.
      --1 Sam. xxvii. 11.