gets told off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gets told off" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where someone is reprimanded or scolded for their behavior or actions. Example: "After arriving late to the meeting, he gets told off by his manager for not being punctual."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Nobody gets told off or told they can't say something".

The Guardian

Derek gets told off by someone – "It's a really serious topic, Del.

The Guardian - Opinion

Arnason heads the ball away near goal to give Nigeria a corner, then gets told off by keeper Halldorsson who could have just caught it.

The New York Times - Sports

Anyone picking the wallpaper gets told off, but anyone who dares to carry on picking discovers that the original decorators papered over the windows.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He stills gets told off for making a mess (cannily he's moved his deodorants, razors and dirty washing basket full of towels and socks out of shot), but never for screaming and shouting.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Home Office is not the final arbiter of whether an action is legal; the fact that it gets told off by judges again and again (most recently about the freezing of terror suspects' assets) tells you where the real determination lies.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

I would get told off a lot.

The Guardian

"I kept getting told off for walking".

The Guardian - Music

And get told off by Judi Dench.

The Guardian

"It's certainly much better than getting told off".

The New York Times

I presumed we'd get told off, and shown photos of horrific accidents.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "gets told off", ensure the context clearly indicates who is doing the telling off and why. For instance, "He gets told off by his coach for missing practice."

Common error

Avoid using "gets told off" without specifying who is doing the reprimanding. Saying "He gets told off" lacks clarity. Instead, specify the source of the scolding to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gets told off" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject receives a reprimand. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

25%

Lifestyle

20%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gets told off" is a grammatically sound and informally used passive construction that means to receive a scolding or reprimand. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Lifestyle. While it is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "is reprimanded" may be preferable in professional settings. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying who is doing the telling off to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

receives a telling-off

British English; emphasizes the act of scolding.

is scolded

Implies a more parental or informal rebuke.

is reprimanded

More formal and direct; implies an official rebuke.

is dressed down

Informal; implies a severe reprimand.

is rebuked

More formal and implies strong disapproval.

is chastised

Suggests a formal and often public reprimand.

is lectured

Implies a lengthy and possibly moralizing scolding.

is taken to task

Formal; suggests being held accountable for something.

is given a piece of one's mind

Idiomatic; emphasizes the expression of strong disapproval.

is corrected

A more neutral term; simply implies that an error was pointed out.

FAQs

What does "gets told off" mean?

The phrase "gets told off" means to receive a scolding or reprimand for something one has done wrong. It implies that someone in authority or a position to do so is verbally correcting or criticizing the person.

What can I say instead of "gets told off"?

You can use alternatives like "is reprimanded", "is scolded", or "receives a telling-off" depending on the context.

Is "gets told off" grammatically correct?

Yes, "gets told off" is grammatically correct. It uses the auxiliary verb "gets" in combination with the past participle "told" to form a passive construction, indicating that someone is the recipient of the action.

How formal is the phrase "gets told off"?

The phrase "gets told off" is relatively informal. More formal alternatives include "is reprimanded" or "is rebuked". Use the alternative "is reprimanded" when writing a professional email.