{
    "term": "tell",
    "partOfSpeech": "verb",
    "ox3000": true,
    "cefr": "a1",
    "verbForms": {
        "presentSimple": {
            "iYouWeThey": "tell",
            "heSheIt": "tells"
        },
        "pastSimple": "told",
        "pastParticiple": "told",
        "ingForm": "telling"
    },
    "definitions": [
        {
            "senseNumber": 1,
            "definition": "to give information to somebody by speaking or writing",
            "sensetop": "tell something to somebodytell somebody somethingtell somebody about somethingtell somebody/yourself (that)…tell somebody where, what, etc…tell somebody + speech",
            "cefr": "a1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "He told the news to everybody he saw.",
                    "contextForm": "tell something to somebody"
                },
                {
                    "text": "He told everybody he saw the news.",
                    "contextForm": "tell somebody something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "Did she tell you her name?"
                },
                {
                    "text": "**What did I tell you**? *(= you should have listened to my advice)*"
                },
                {
                    "text": "‘Come closer,’ she said, ‘I want to **tell you something**’."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Why wasn't I told about the accident?",
                    "contextForm": "tell somebody about something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "They’ve told us (that) they’re not coming.",
                    "contextForm": "tell somebody/yourself (that)…"
                },
                {
                    "text": "I **told** him **straight** *(= in a direct way)* that I wasn't voting for him."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He later told the court that he had returned the money."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I **kept telling myself** (that) everything was OK."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Are you telling me you didn't have any help with this? *(= I don't believe what you have said)*"
                },
                {
                    "text": "Tell me where you live.",
                    "contextForm": "tell somebody where, what, etc…"
                },
                {
                    "text": "‘I'm ready to go now,’ he told her.",
                    "contextForm": "tell somebody + speech"
                },
                {
                    "text": "'We hope that there will be some progress,' he told reporters."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I tried to tell them but they wouldn't let me."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I was going to tell you—I just didn't get around to it."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I hate to tell you this but I've broken your phone."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I never told him about the money."
                },
                {
                    "text": "No one had told her of the dangers."
                },
                {
                    "text": "She told me bluntly it was my own fault."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Did anyone tell you what happened?"
                },
                {
                    "text": "The government refused to tell them anything about its investigation."
                }
            ],
            "collocations": {
                "adverb": ["bluntly", "curtly", "flatly"],
                "verb + tell": ["want to", "be going to", "try to"],
                "preposition": ["about", "of", "to"]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 2,
            "definition": "to give information about something",
            "sensetop": "tell somebody somethingtell somebody how, where, etc…tell somebody (that)…",
            "cefr": "a1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "The advertisement told us very little about the product.",
                    "contextForm": "tell somebody something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "This gauge tells you how much fuel you have left.",
                    "contextForm": "tell somebody how, where, etc…"
                },
                {
                    "text": "The sound of his breathing told her (that) he was asleep.",
                    "contextForm": "tell somebody (that)…"
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 3,
            "definition": "to express something in words",
            "sensetop": "tell somethingtell somebody how, what, etc…tell somebody something",
            "cefr": "a1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "to **tell stories/jokes/lies**",
                    "contextForm": "tell something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "Are you sure you're **telling the truth**?"
                },
                {
                    "text": "**I can't tell you** how happy I am.",
                    "contextForm": "tell somebody how, what, etc…"
                },
                {
                    "text": "We'd go fishing and she'd tell me stories.",
                    "contextForm": "tell somebody something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "All of them had an interesting story to tell."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He told the story to all his friends."
                },
                {
                    "text": "She is always telling lies."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 4,
            "definition": "to let somebody know a secret",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Promise you won't tell."
                },
                {
                    "text": "‘Who are you going out with tonight?’ ‘**That would be telling**!’ *(= it's a secret)*"
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 5,
            "definition": "to order or advise somebody to do something",
            "sensetop": "tell somebody/yourself to do somethingtell somebody somethingtell somebodytell somebody what, when, etc…tell somebody (that)…",
            "cefr": "a1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "He was told to sit down and wait.",
                    "contextForm": "tell somebody/yourself to do something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "There was a sign telling motorists to slow down."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I kept telling myself to keep calm."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I specifically told you to be here on time."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Do what I tell you.",
                    "contextForm": "tell somebody something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "Children must **do as they're told**.",
                    "contextForm": "tell somebody"
                },
                {
                    "text": "Don't tell me what to do!",
                    "contextForm": "tell somebody what, when, etc…"
                },
                {
                    "text": "The doctor told me (that) I should eat less fat.",
                    "contextForm": "tell somebody (that)…"
                }
            ],
            "collocations": {
                "adverb": ["firmly", "sternly"]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 6,
            "definition": "to know, see or judge something correctly",
            "sensetop": "tell (that)…tell how, if, etc…",
            "cefr": "b2",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "I think he's happy. **It's hard to tell**."
                },
                {
                    "text": "**As far as I can tell**, she's enjoying the course."
                },
                {
                    "text": "‘That's not an original.’ ‘How can you tell?’"
                },
                {
                    "text": "I could tell (that) he was angry from his expression.",
                    "contextForm": "tell (that)…"
                },
                {
                    "text": "The only way to tell if you like something is by trying it.",
                    "contextForm": "tell how, if, etc…"
                },
                {
                    "text": "**It's too early to tell** how popular this service will be."
                },
                {
                    "text": "It's impossible to tell exactly where the problem is."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 7,
            "definition": "to recognize the difference between one thing or person and another",
            "sensetop": "tell somethingtell A from Btell A and B aparttell which, what, etc…",
            "cefr": "b2",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "It was hard to **tell the difference between** the two versions.",
                    "contextForm": "tell something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "Can you tell Tom from his twin brother?",
                    "contextForm": "tell A from B"
                },
                {
                    "text": "Can you tell this copy from the original?"
                },
                {
                    "text": "It's difficult to **tell them apart**.",
                    "contextForm": "tell A and B apart"
                },
                {
                    "text": "The kittens look exactly alike—how can you **tell which is which**?",
                    "contextForm": "tell which, what, etc…"
                },
                {
                    "text": "I couldn't tell who was meant to be the chairman."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 8,
            "definition": "to have an effect on somebody/something, especially a bad one",
            "sensetop": "tell (on somebody)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "The strain was beginning to tell on the rescue team."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "with all people, etc. counted and included",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "There are 52 people coming, all told."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "used to say that you know or can guess what somebody is going to say, especially because it is typical of them",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Don't tell me you were late again!"
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Doubt, guessing and certainty"]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to hear people talking about something",
            "labels": "(old-fashioned or formal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "I've often heard tell of such things."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "used to tell somebody the true facts about a situation, especially when these are not known by other people",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "If the truth be known, I was afraid to tell anyone."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "used to say that something you have just said is not true or correct",
            "labels": "(British English, informal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "We first met in 2006, no, I tell a lie, it was 2007."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "used to emphasize what you are saying, especially when it is surprising or difficult to believe",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "It isn't cheap, I can tell you!"
                },
                {
                    "text": "I'm telling you, that's exactly what she said."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "used to introduce a suggestion",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "I'll tell you what—let's stay in instead."
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Suggestions and advice"]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "used when something bad has happened, to remind somebody that you warned them about it and they did not listen to you",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "a way of referring to somebody talking publicly, usually for money, about a past sexual relationship with somebody famous",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "used to say that somebody told you something but you do not want to say who it was",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to survive a difficult or dangerous experience so that you can tell others what really happened",
            "examples": [],
            "topics": ["Danger"]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to give some information that is different from what you expect or have been told",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "These drugs are widely believed to be effective medications. The data, however, tell a different story."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "used to introduce a question",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Tell me, have you had lunch yet?"
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "used to say that you understand what somebody is talking about and have had the same experience",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "‘I get so annoyed with Steve!’ ‘Tell me about it. He drives me crazy.’"
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Opinion and argument"]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "used to tell somebody that you do not believe what they have said",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to explain itself, without needing any further explanation or comment",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Her face told its own story."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to tell somebody about something that another person has done wrong",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to tell somebody/know some useful, interesting or surprising information about somebody/something",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "After winning several Oscars, Nick Park can tell you a thing or two about making animated films."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to read the time from a clock, etc.",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "She's only five—she hasn't learnt to tell the time yet."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to make it clear to somebody that you will no longer accept their bad behaviour",
            "labels": "(British English, informal)",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to make it clear to somebody that you are angry and are rejecting what they are offering you",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "used to say that it is impossible to know what happened or will happen",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "There's no telling how they'll react."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "used to say that you will have to wait for some time to find out the result of a situation",
            "labels": "(saying)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Only time will tell if the treatment has been successful."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "used when admitting something",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "To tell the truth, I fell asleep in the middle of her talk."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "you can never be sure, for example because things are not always what they appear to be",
            "labels": "(saying)",
            "examples": [],
            "topics": ["Doubt, guessing and certainty"]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "I completely agree with you",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": [],
            "topics": ["Opinion and argument"]
        }
    ],
    "pronunciations": {
        "uk": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/tel/",
                "audio": "te/tell/tell__gb_1.mp3"
            },
            {
                "pronunciation": "/telz/",
                "audio": "te/tell/tells__gb_1.mp3"
            },
            {
                "pronunciation": "/təʊld/",
                "audio": "to/tell/told__gb_1.mp3"
            },
            {
                "pronunciation": "/ˈtelɪŋ/",
                "audio": "te/tell/telling__gb_1.mp3"
            }
        ],
        "us": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/tel/",
                "audio": "te/tell/tell__us_1.mp3"
            },
            {
                "pronunciation": "/telz/",
                "audio": "te/tell/tells__us_1.mp3"
            },
            {
                "pronunciation": "/təʊld/",
                "audio": "to/tell/told__us_1.mp3"
            },
            {
                "pronunciation": "/ˈtelɪŋ/",
                "audio": "te/tell/telling__us_1.mp3"
            }
        ]
    },
    "wordOrigin": "Old English tellan ‘relate, count, estimate’, of Germanic origin; related to German zählen ‘reckon, count’, erzählen ‘recount, relate’, also to tale."
}