tell tales

0.01 sec.

tell tales

to tell someone in authority about something bad that someone has done because you want to cause trouble for them (often + about ) She wasn't very popular at school - she was the sort of kid who was always telling tales about other kids. I had half a mind to tell my boss about him but I didn't want her to think I was telling tales.

See can't tell arse from elbow, live to tell the tale

See also: tales, tell

Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content.

?Page tools

Printer friendly
Cite / link

Feedback

References in classic literature	?		Idioms browser	?		Full browser	?
Luckily there is no distinction of dress nowadays to tell tales, but--but-- but Yours affectionately. Mansfield Park by Austen, Jane View in context "Very good," said the hunchback; "and with pupils one may well tell tales out of school. Thus Spake Zarathustra: A Book For All And None by Nietzsche, Friedrich View in context You had better say nothing about this to our father, for he does not believe a word you say; and if you tell tales, you shall lose your life into the bargain: but be quiet, and we will let you off. Fairy Tales by Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm View in context			telegraph punches telephone telephone in telescope into tell tell about tell all tell apart tell by tell from tell from else Tell it like it is tell it to the marines Tell it to the marines! tell its own story tell its own tale tell me about it Tell me about it! tell me another Tell me another! tell of tell off tell on tell one to face tell people or things apart tell tales tell tales out of school tell the difference between Tell the truth and shame the devil tell the world tell things apart tell time tell to tell what to do with tell where to get off tell you what telling temper temper with temperature tempers fray tempest tempest in a teacup tempt tempt fate tempt into tempt to do tempt with ten tend tend to do			Tell Me More Tell Me Now Tell Me Something Interesting Tell Me the Story of Jesus Tell Me the Time Tell Me Why Tell Me, Please Tell No Tales tell of tell of tell off tell off tell off tell off tell on tell on tell on tell one bearings tell one to face tell over tell particulars tell people or things apart Tell Play Tell Sawwan Tell Sawwan tell secrets Tell Someone Who Cares Tell Someone Who Gives A Flip Tell Someone Who Gives A Shake tell something from something else tell tales tell tales out of school tell tell time tell tell time tell tell time tell that to the marines tell that to the marines tell the difference between tell the future tell the meaning tell the meaning of tell the time tell the time tell the time Tell the truth and shame the devil Tell the World Tell the World Tell Them I Love Them tell things apart tell time tell to Tell Us Once tell vividly tell what to do tell what to do tell what to do tell what to do with tell where they get off tell where they get off tell where they get off tell where to get off

Idioms and phrases

Free Tools:	For surfers: Free toolbar & extensions \| Word of the Day \| Help For webmasters: Free content \| Linking \| Lookup box \| Double-click lookup

Disclaimer
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.