going to tell
Ready to inform an authority figure of one's bad behavior. Aw man, she's going to tell Mom what we did. A: "You're really going to tell on your accomplices?" B: "How else am I supposed to avoid jail time?" I knew you were going to tell Mom and Dad! I'm never telling you anything ever again!
on report
Being monitored and subject to possible disciplinary punishment should one's behavior not meet a required standard. Typically occurs as a result of an initial offence. Primarily heard in UK. The student was placed on report after she was caught writing insulting remarks in bathrooms around the school. The team's star striker has been on report for the past two weeks for intentionally kicking an opposing player.
report about (someone or something)
To prepare or present a news report about a particular person, thing, or topic. When reporting about mental health issues, it is extremely important not to write or speak in a way that might offend or stigmatize someone. I've been assigned to report about the new prime minister.
report back
1. To return to and present oneself at some location or office in an official or formal capacity as instructed. The boss makes us all report back after every break we take. I reported back to the head office after my business trip, then departed for the airport for the next journey.
2. To return to some person, location, or office to present information as instructed. We're waiting for our field agent to report back to us with intel on the situation. I'm going to see what I can find out—I'll report back if anything turns up.
report for (something)
To present oneself to someone or appear at some location as instructed for some specific task or duty. I have to report for community service on Saturday. We'll be reporting for duty next week, so enjoy the time off while you can.
report for duty
To arrive at some place for a job, duty, or particular purpose. A: "Here I am—one babysitter, reporting for duty!" B: "Oh, bless you. Joe and I haven't had a date night since I can't remember when." A: "What time do we need to report for duty, sir?" B: "7:00 AM."
report in
To present oneself to or establish communication with some place or office. We're waiting for our field agent to report in and give us intel on the situation. I reported in at the head office after my business trip, then departed for the airport for the next journey.
report in sick
To inform one's employer that one will be absent due to illness (real or feigned). That virus has totally decimated my staff—only two people are in the office today because the rest reported in sick! If you really want to go to the beach tomorrow, just report in sick.
report on (someone or something)
1. To prepare or present a news report about a particular person, thing, or topic. When reporting on mental health issues, it is extremely important not to write or speak in a way that might offend or stigmatize someone. I've been assigned to report on the new prime minister.
2. To give an official or formal account of someone or something They hired me to secretly report on the CEO as a part of their internal investigation. Janet is going to report on our financial results for the last quarter.
report out
To return (a bill) to the legislative body after consideration and possibly revision. A noun or pronoun can be used between "report" and "out." The committee spent nearly four hours debating the bill before eventually reporting it out.
report to (someone or something)
1. To present oneself to someone or appear at some location as instructed. I have to report to my parole officer every Friday afternoon. Please report to the center for immigration to renew your work permit.
2. To be under the authority or supervision of some person, office, group, or organization. With all due respect, I report to the president and no one else. Following the promotion, you will henceforth report to the company's global headquarters in Detroit.
3. To give a formal account of some information to some person, office, group, or organization. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "report" and "to." We are going to report our findings to the board of directors next week. Please report such complaints to the HR department.
4. To inform a person, office, or institution of authority of someone's bad or illegal behavior. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "report" and "to." I can't believe you reported me to the principal—I thought we were friends! The doctor reported his patient to the police.
shoe-leather reporting
The collecting, writing, and reporting of news stories characterized by traveling to different places and meeting with different people in order to investigate and obtain all relevant facts. Sarah always spends weeks on her stories, making sure no stone is left unturned. It's real old-school, shoe-leather reporting. Look, kid, I know you'd rather be doing some shoe-leather reporting, but our business model is all about churning out as many stories as possible, as quickly as possible.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
going to tell
and going to tattlea threat that one is going to report someone's misdeed to someone in authority. If you do that again, I'm going to tell! Sue just went to the teacher. She's going to tattle.
report about someone or something
to deliver information about someone or something. Isn't it time to report about Frank and how well he is doing? I want to report about the accident.
report back
(on someone or something) to return with information or an explanation from someone or something. I need you to report back on Walter by noon. I'll report back as soon as I can.
report back
(to someone or something) 1. to go back to someone or something and present oneself. Report back to me at once! I'll report back immediately.
2. to present information or an explanation to someone or some group. Please report back to me when you have the proper information. I'll report back as soon as I have all the information.
report for something
to present oneself for something. Please report for duty on Monday morning at eight o'clock sharp. I can't report for my examination at the time we agreed upon.
report in
to present oneself; to make one's presence known. Please report in when you get back in town. He reported in and his name was taken off the absentee list.
report in sick
to call one's office to say that one will not come to work because one is sick; to show up for work ill. (See also call in sick. Normally, one must be present to report in.) I don't feel well today. I will report in sick. The phone was busy, so I reported in sick by e-mail.
report something to someone
to present a body of information to someone. Please report the results to the supervisor. The event was reported to the proper person.
report to someone or something
1. to present oneself to someone or an office. You must report to me for duty at noon. They told me to report to this office at this time.
2. to be supervised by someone or an office. When you start work here, you will report to Mrs. Franklin. I report directly to the home office.
3. to return to someone or an office and make a report. Please report to me when you have the results. If you have any more to say, please report to headquarters and tell the whole story.
report (up)on someone or something
to present an explanation on someone or something. (Upon is formal and less commonly used than on.) The detective visited Mrs. Jones to report upon Mr. Jones. I want to report on the events of the day. Do you have time to listen?
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.