| 单词 | tell |
| 释义 | telltell /tɛl/ ●●● S1 W1 verb (past tense and past participle told /toʊld/) 1COMMUNICATE something [transitive] to give someone facts or information about something: tell somebody (that) Tell Teresa I said hi. I wish someone had told me that the meeting was canceled.tell somebody something Tell me your phone number again.tell somebody who/why/what etc. She wouldn’t tell me why she was angry.tell somebody about something Did you tell Jennifer about the party?tell a story/joke/secret etc. My father always cried when he told this story. Patrick tells lies all the time. For once, I think he’s telling the truth.► see thesaurus at explain2SHOW something [transitive not in progressive or passive] to give information in ways other than talking: tell somebody (that) The red light tells you it’s recording.tell somebody what/why etc. The bear’s sense of smell tells it where its prey is hiding.tell somebody about something Studying meteorites can tell us about the origins of the universe.3WHAT somebody SHOULD DO [transitive] to say that someone must do something: tell somebody to do something Mom told me to take out the trash before I leave.tell somebody (that) Denise was told she had to work overtime tonight.tell somebody what/how etc. Stop trying to tell me what to do all the time. Do as you’re told (=obey me) and don’t ask questions.4know [intransitive, transitive not in progressive] to know something or be able to recognize something because of certain signs that show this: can/could tell She might have been lying. Ben couldn’t tell.tell (that) I could tell Darren was really nervous.tell when/how etc. It was hard to tell what she was thinking.tell by/from something I can tell by the way he talks that he’s from the South.5RECOGNIZE DIFFERENCE [transitive not in progressive] to be able to see how one person or thing is different from another: tell something from something Most experts can tell an expensive diamond from a cheap one. It’s fairly easy to tell the difference between good coffee and bad coffee.6WARN [transitive usually in past tense] to warn someone that something bad might happen: tell somebody (that) Alan told Marge she shouldn’t walk alone at night.tell somebody to do something Helen told me not to trust Robert.7tell yourself to try to persuade yourself about something, because it is difficult to accept or because it worries you: I kept telling myself that it wasn’t my fault.SPOKEN PHRASES8(I/I’ll) tell you what a)used when you are suggesting or offering something: I’ll tell you what, I’ll pay for the movie if you drive. b)used to emphasize what you are saying: I tell you what, he’s so cool.9I tell you (also I’m telling you, let me tell you) used to emphasize that what you are saying is true, even though it may be difficult to believe: I tell you, I’ve never seen anything like it before.10(I) told you (so) used when you warned someone about a possible danger that has now happened and he or she ignored your warning11to tell (you) the truth used to emphasize that you are being very honest: To tell you the truth, I can’t stand Sandy’s cooking.12tell me used before asking a question: Tell me, does this look okay? So tell me – what’re you doing in Argentina?13I’ll tell you something/one thing/another thing (also let me tell you something/one thing/another thing) used to make someone pay attention to what you are going to say: Let me tell you something – if I catch you kids smoking, you’ll be grounded for a year at least.14I couldn’t tell you used to tell someone that you do not know the answer to a question: “Is it supposed to rain tomorrow?” “I couldn’t tell you.”15I can’t tell you a)used to say that something is a secret, so you cannot answer their question: “Where are we going?” “I can’t tell you – it’s a surprise.” b)used to say that you cannot express your feelings or describe something well: I can’t tell you how grateful I am for your help.16I’m not telling (you) used to say that you refuse to tell someone something17tell it like it is to say exactly what you think or what is true, without hiding anything that might upset or offend people: Don always tells it like it is.18don’t tell me a)used to interrupt someone because you know what he or she is going to say or because you want to guess, especially when you are annoyed: Don't tell me – he's going to quit, isn't he! b)used to say that you are annoyed by something that you have just discovered is probably true: Don’t tell me we’re out of milk!19somebody tells me (that) used to say what someone has told you: Debbie tells me you’re looking for a new job.20there’s no telling what/how etc. used to say that it is impossible to know what has happened or what will happen next: There’s no telling how he’ll react to the news.21to hear somebody tell it used to say someone's opinion of an event, which may not be completely true or correct: To hear Betsy tell it, you’d think we burned the house down.22you’re telling me used to emphasize that you already know and agree with something that someone has just said: “Wow, this is really hard work.” “You’re telling me!”23tell me about it used to say that you already know how bad something is, especially because you have experienced it yourself: “I’m totally sick of my boss.” “Yeah, tell me about it.”24you never can tell (also you can never tell) used to say that you cannot be certain about what will happen in the future: “Maybe they’ll get married.” “You never can tell.”25tell somebody where to get off slang to tell someone angrily that he or she has done or said something insulting or unfair: “Did you give him the money?” “No, I told him where to get off.”26tell me another one used when you do not believe what someone has told you27BAD BEHAVIOR [intransitive] informal to tell someone in authority about something wrong that someone has done SYN tattle: If you don’t give back my pencil, I’m going to tell.tell on I was afraid my little sister would tell on us.28AFFECT [intransitive not in progressive] to have an effect on someone, especially a harmful one: His years in the army certainly tell in his attitude to his work.tell on The strain was beginning to tell on her. → see also telling29tell time to be able to know what time it is by looking at a clock[Origin: Old English tellan] → see also all told at all2 (17)tell somebody/something apart phrasal verb if you can tell two people or things apart, you can see the difference between them so that you do not confuse them SYN distinguish between: I’ve never been able to tell the twins apart.tell of somebody/something phrasal verb literary to describe an event or person: Chavez often told of his mother’s kindness to strangers.tell somebody ↔ off phrasal verb to talk angrily to someone because he or she has done something wrong: My mother told him off. |
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