Grammar fix
tell someone off
scold someone
To speak angrily to someone because they have done something wrong.
phrasal verb
How oftenCommon
LevelB2
Used inMostly spoken
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
My neighbour told me off for leaving my bike in the hallway.
When I was younger, my parents sometimes told me off for staying up too late, but they were usually right.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: My manager told off to me for being late.
Say: My manager told me off for being late.
Put the person between 'tell' and 'off'; do not use 'to'.
Don't confuse it
Other ways to say it
Speak angrily to someone who did wrong
How harshOrdinary scoldingSevere scolding
tell someone offYou're here · Especially British: scolding someone for doing something wrong.
dress downA forceful reprimand, often from someone in authority.chew someone outAmerican and informal: reprimanding someone angrily and severely.