Ways to Use the Verb Tell in English: Collocations, Phrasal Verbs and Idioms

Hello English learners! Welcome to a new lesson. In this lesson, we will look at the ways to use the verb tell in English, including its meanings, common collocations, phrasal verbs, idioms, and example sentences.

Today, we’re going to look at one of the most useful and versatile verbs in English: tell.

Many students think that learning grammar and individual vocabulary items is enough to become fluent. Those things are certainly important, but natural English also depends on collocations, phrasal verbs, idioms, and common fixed expressions. Native speakers use them all the time, so if you want to sound more natural and understand English more easily, they are well worth learning.

In this lesson, we’ll explore the different ways to use tell, from its basic meanings to everyday expressions and idioms. Once you become familiar with them, you’ll be able to express yourself more clearly, confidently, and naturally.

Main Meanings of the Verb TELL

1. To give information

We use tell when we give information to someone.

• When we met yesterday, Mary told me all about her holiday.
• Even though it wasn’t easy, the witness told the police every detail of the crime.

2. To give an order or strong advice

We can also use tell when someone orders another person to do something or gives very firm advice.

• Haven’t I told you to do your homework?
• I’m telling you, that job is not for you.

3. To recognise or distinguish

Tell can mean to see or recognise the difference between two things.

• I find it difficult to tell the difference between Amanda and her twin sister.
• He can’t tell right from wrong.

4. To reveal a secret

If you tell, you may reveal information that was meant to stay secret.

• Promise me you won’t tell anyone.
• I can’t believe Mark told everyone our secret.

5. To narrate or recount

We also use tell when talking about stories, jokes, experiences, or facts from the past.

• The children listened quietly as Grandpa told them a story.
• When Dean told us a joke, we all burst out laughing.

Common Collocations and Expressions with TELL

I can tell you …

This expression is used to emphasise that what you are saying is definitely true.

• I can tell you that being married to a rock star isn’t as easy as it looks.
• Scotland may be cold in winter, but I can tell you there’s no better place in summer.

To tell the truth

We use this phrase when we want to be honest or admit what we really think.

• To tell the truth, I didn’t expect such a warm welcome.
• I’m not very fond of watching TV, to tell the truth.

Tell the time

This means to know what time it is by looking at a clock.

• Can you believe our four-year-old can already tell the time?
• This clock doesn’t tell the time properly.

I told you so

We say this when something happens exactly as we predicted.

• If I tell my mum I lost money on that app, she’ll say, “I told you so.”
• I warned you about that politician — I told you so!

You can never tell

This means that it is impossible to be completely sure what will happen.

• You can never tell how customers will react to a new product.
• The rain might stop soon — you can never tell.

Something tells me …

We use this when we have a feeling or instinct about something.

• Something tells me you’re not being completely honest.
• I think I should give it a try — something tells me I won’t regret it.

Tell yourself

This means to say something to yourself in order to feel better or more confident.

• Whenever I feel nervous before an exam, I tell myself I’ll do well.
• If you crave chocolate at midnight, tell yourself to wait until morning.

Phrasal Verbs with TELL

Tell against

If something tells against you, it creates a disadvantage for you.

• Her poor English told against her in the interview.
• The evidence told against the robbers.

Tell apart

This means to distinguish between two similar people or things.

• If your brother weren’t taller, I wouldn’t be able to tell you apart.
• Their paintings are so similar that it is difficult to tell them apart.

Tell of

This means to describe or speak about something, often in a literary or formal way.

• The old man lived long enough to tell of the horrors of war.
• Her wrinkled face told of a difficult life.

Tell off

This phrasal verb means to scold or reprimand someone.

• Mr Brown told Fiona off for being late again.
• The soldier was told off for wearing an improper uniform.

Tell on

This phrasal verb has two common meanings.

1. a) To affect someone negatively over time

• Poor diet began to tell on her health.
• Weeks of insomnia started to tell on him.

1. b) To inform on someone

• Please don’t tell on me about the broken window.
• If you tell on me, I’ll be in serious trouble.

Idioms with TELL

Only time will tell

This means that we will know the truth or the result in the future.

• Only time will tell whether this decision was the right one.
• We’ll see how the market reacts — only time will tell.

Tell its own story / tell its own tale

This means that something shows the truth clearly without needing explanation.

• Her face told its own story when she heard the news.
• The broken window told its own tale of what had happened.

Kiss and tell

This refers to revealing private or romantic details to other people.

• The celebrity gave a kiss-and-tell interview about her ex.
• She regretted dating him because he turned out to be a real kiss-and-tell type.

Live to tell the tale

This means to survive a dangerous or difficult experience.

• After the accident, he was lucky to live to tell the tale.
• Not everyone lives to tell the tale after such an experience.

Tell someone where to get off

This idiom means to speak to someone very firmly because they are being rude, arrogant, or pushy.

• If he insults me again, I’ll tell him where to get off.
• She finally told him where to get off after months of rude behaviour.

A little bird told me

We use this expression when we know something but do not want to say who told us.

• “How do you know about the party?” “A little bird told me.”
• A little bird told me you’ve got a new job — congratulations!

Why Learn Different Uses of TELL?

The verb tell is much more than a simple word meaning say something. It appears in a wide range of expressions connected with communication, instinct, advice, secrets, stories, and relationships.

If you learn how to use tell in collocations, phrasal verbs, and idioms, your English will immediately sound richer and more natural. This is especially helpful if you are preparing for B2 First or C1 Advanced, where flexible vocabulary and natural expression can make a real difference.

So don’t just learn one meaning of a word. Learn the whole family of expressions around it. That is how vocabulary becomes active, useful, and memorable.

Final thought

The more ways you know how to use a common verb like tell, the more expressive your English becomes. So tell yourself to review these examples, try using them in your own sentences, and come back to them regularly. Little by little, they’ll become part of your everyday English.

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