{"id":6810,"date":"2025-06-27T01:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-27T01:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/?p=6810"},"modified":"2025-06-18T05:34:20","modified_gmt":"2025-06-18T05:34:20","slug":"phrasal-verbs-tell","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/phrasal-verbs-tell\/","title":{"rendered":"Idioms and Phrasal Verbs with \"Tell\""},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/phrasal-verbs-tell\/#Phrasal_Verbs_With_%E2%80%9CTell%E2%80%9D\" >Phrasal Verbs With &#8220;Tell&#8221;<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/phrasal-verbs-tell\/#Tell_on_someone\" >Tell on (someone)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/phrasal-verbs-tell\/#Tell_of\" >Tell of<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/phrasal-verbs-tell\/#Tell_off\" >Tell off<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/phrasal-verbs-tell\/#Common_Phrases_With_%E2%80%9CTell%E2%80%9D\" >Common Phrases With &#8220;Tell&#8221;<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/phrasal-verbs-tell\/#Tell_the_difference\" >Tell the difference<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/phrasal-verbs-tell\/#Tell_time\" >Tell time<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/phrasal-verbs-tell\/#Tell_a_lie\" >Tell a lie<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/phrasal-verbs-tell\/#Tell_the_truth\" >Tell the truth<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/phrasal-verbs-tell\/#Tell_a_joke\" >Tell a joke<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/phrasal-verbs-tell\/#Tell_a_story\" >Tell a story<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/phrasal-verbs-tell\/#Other_Expressions_With_%E2%80%9CTell%E2%80%9D\" >Other Expressions With &#8220;Tell&#8221;<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/phrasal-verbs-tell\/#%E2%80%9CYoure_telling_me%E2%80%9D\" >&#8220;You&#8217;re telling me!&#8221;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/phrasal-verbs-tell\/#Truth_be_told\" >Truth be told<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/phrasal-verbs-tell\/#As_far_as_I_can_tell\" >As far as I can tell<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/phrasal-verbs-tell\/#There_is_No_telling\" >(There is) No telling<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/phrasal-verbs-tell\/#Wrap-up\" >Wrap-up<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p>This article is a continuation of <a href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/phrasal-verbs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">our series<\/a> on phrasal verbs, and this time, we're focusing on the different ways you can use \"tell.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Compared to some other words we've looked at, there aren't many phrasal verbs with \"tell,\" but it <em>is<\/em> common in many English idioms, which we'll explore below. After reading this article, practice using them yourself in a conversation with an <a href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Engoo<\/a> tutor!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Phrasal_Verbs_With_%E2%80%9CTell%E2%80%9D\"><\/span>Phrasal Verbs With &#8220;Tell&#8221;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tell_on_someone\"><\/span><strong>Tell on (someone)<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/06\/18052909\/phrasal_verbs_tell_1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"An unhappy boy pointing at a classmate who is teasing him in the distance\" class=\"wp-image-11581\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/06\/18052909\/phrasal_verbs_tell_1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/06\/18052909\/phrasal_verbs_tell_1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/06\/18052909\/phrasal_verbs_tell_1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/06\/18052909\/phrasal_verbs_tell_1-420x280.jpg 420w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/06\/18052909\/phrasal_verbs_tell_1-840x560.jpg 840w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\"Telling on\" someone means revealing to others that they've done something bad or against the rules. This phrasal verb is mostly used by children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Everyone in class knew that Johnny threw the paper airplane, but no one <strong>told on<\/strong> him.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes this usage is shortened to only \"tell.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>How did the teacher know it was me who threw the airplane? Who <strong>told<\/strong>?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tell_of\"><\/span><strong>Tell of<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>\"Telling of\" something is talking about it, often in detail. This phrasal verb sounds a bit formal and isn't very common in most daily conversations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>The book <strong>tells of <\/strong>the author's incredible life story, filled with adventure and surprises.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tell_off\"><\/span><strong>Tell off<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/06\/18053017\/phrasal_verbs_tell_3-1024x684.jpg\" alt=\"An angry boss yelling at an employee, who sits with his hands raised over his head \" class=\"wp-image-11582\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/06\/18053017\/phrasal_verbs_tell_3-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/06\/18053017\/phrasal_verbs_tell_3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/06\/18053017\/phrasal_verbs_tell_3-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/06\/18053017\/phrasal_verbs_tell_3-420x280.jpg 420w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/06\/18053017\/phrasal_verbs_tell_3-840x560.jpg 840w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\"Telling someone off\" means <a href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/app\/words\/word\/scold\/zga0ELstQmCjlQAAAACEeQ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">scolding<\/a> or yelling at them, usually because they've done something wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>The boss <strong>told me off<\/strong> for missing my sales targets.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Common_Phrases_With_%E2%80%9CTell%E2%80%9D\"><\/span><strong>Common Phrases With &#8220;Tell&#8221;<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tell_the_difference\"><\/span><strong>Tell the difference<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Meaning: to understand what makes things different from one another<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This phrase is often shortened to just \"tell\" when used casually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Sam said he lost weight, but no one can <strong>tell (the difference)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>I could <strong>tell<\/strong> right away that Aya's English was much better than it was last year.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tell_time\"><\/span><strong>Tell time<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Meaning: to understand what time it is by looking at the hands on a clock<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>My young son recently learned how to<strong> tell time<\/strong>. Now he doesn't have to rely on digital clocks.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tell_a_lie\"><\/span><strong>Tell a lie<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/06\/18053133\/phrasal_verbs_tell_2-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A young man taking a lie-detector test while sitting in a dark room\" class=\"wp-image-11583\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/06\/18053133\/phrasal_verbs_tell_2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/06\/18053133\/phrasal_verbs_tell_2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/06\/18053133\/phrasal_verbs_tell_2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/06\/18053133\/phrasal_verbs_tell_2-420x280.jpg 420w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/06\/18053133\/phrasal_verbs_tell_2-840x560.jpg 840w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Meaning: to say something that isn't true<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>His mother punished him for <strong>telling a lie<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tell_the_truth\"><\/span><strong>Tell the truth<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Meaning: to say something that is true<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Remember that \"the\" always comes before \"truth.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Everyone believed that he was <strong>telling the truth<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tell_a_joke\"><\/span><strong>Tell a joke<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Meaning: to say something funny, usually in the form of a story<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Sarah <strong>told a joke<\/strong> that made everyone cry with laughter.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tell_a_story\"><\/span><strong>Tell a story<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Meaning: to create a story from your imagination and tell it to others, usually without preparation<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>My children asked me to<strong> tell them a story <\/strong>before bed, so I <a href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/11-english-phrasal-verbs-with-make\/#To_createinvent\">made one up<\/a> just then.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Other_Expressions_With_%E2%80%9CTell%E2%80%9D\"><\/span><strong>Other Expressions With &#8220;Tell&#8221;<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%80%9CYoure_telling_me%E2%80%9D\"><\/span><strong>&#8220;You&#8217;re telling me!&#8221;<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This expression is used when the speaker has been told something that they already know or strongly agree with. It's a casual phrase, so it should only be used with people you have a close, friendly relationship with.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"unified-block unified-chat-bubble pos-left\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-user\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/22141854\/avatar_38.png\" class=\"unified-chat-bubble-avatar\" width=\"50\" height=\"50\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-name\">A<\/div><\/div><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-content\"><div class=\"block-align-none\">Wow, that was a good movie.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"unified-block unified-chat-bubble pos-right\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-user\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/22141544\/avatar_5.png\" class=\"unified-chat-bubble-avatar\" width=\"50\" height=\"50\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-name\">B<\/div><\/div><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-content\"><div class=\"block-align-none\"><strong>You're telling me!<\/strong> It might be best movie of the year.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Truth_be_told\"><\/span><strong>Truth be told<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is another way to say \"honestly.\" It's often used to introduce information that is surprising or unexpected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>Truth be told,<\/strong> even after years of performing, I still get nervous before every show.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>You can also say \"To tell (you) the truth,\" which has the same meaning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>To tell you the truth,<\/strong> I don't actually like the food there.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"As_far_as_I_can_tell\"><\/span><strong>As far as I can tell<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Use this phrase before or after a statement that you believe is correct based on the information that you have. Think of it as an alternative to \"it seems.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>As far as I can tell,<\/strong> the whole building is empty.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>She doesn't have a boyfriend, <strong>as far as I can tell<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"There_is_No_telling\"><\/span><strong>(There is) No telling<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Use this to talk about a possibility that you cannot predict or know. It's used together with the question words \"who,\" \"what,\" \"where\" and \"how.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>There's no telling<\/strong> how many people will come, so we should prepare for a large number, just in case.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>There's no telling<\/strong> what he'll say next.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>In casual conversations, you can use it as a response to a question. In this usage, it's shortened to simply \"No telling.\"<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"unified-block unified-chat-bubble pos-left\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-user\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/22141850\/avatar_37.png\" class=\"unified-chat-bubble-avatar\" width=\"50\" height=\"50\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-name\">A<\/div><\/div><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-content\"><div class=\"block-align-none\">What are they talking about in there?<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"unified-block unified-chat-bubble pos-right\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-user\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/22141536\/avatar_3.png\" class=\"unified-chat-bubble-avatar\" width=\"50\" height=\"50\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-name\">B<\/div><\/div><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-content\"><div class=\"block-align-none\"><strong>No telling<\/strong>.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Wrap-up\"><\/span><strong>Wrap-up<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>From jokes and lies to stories and differences, \"<a href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/say-or-tell-whats-the-difference\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">tell<\/a>\" is useful in a variety of ways. Look for chances to use them in your next English conversation and come back to this article for a reference whenever you need a reminder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And don't forget to check out the rest of our <a href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/phrasal-verbs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">series<\/a> on these short but powerful words.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This article is a continuation of our series on phrasal verbs, and this time, we're focusing on the different ways you can use \"tell.\" Compared to some other words we've looked at, there aren't many...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":432,"featured_media":11580,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"unified_meta_tagline_field":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6810","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-language-tips"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Idioms and Phrasal Verbs with &quot;Tell&quot; | Engoo Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Phrasal verbs and idioms with &quot;tell&quot; allow you to talk about jokes, lies, differences and many other things useful in daily communication.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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