telling off

USAGE SUMMARY

"telling off" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to reprimanding someone or scolding them for their behavior. Example: She gave him a telling off for being late to the meeting. Alternative expressions include "scolding," "rebuking," and "reprimanding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Informal

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

"It's like a parent telling off their children.

The Guardian

There was an Asian dad telling off his three boys.

The Guardian

"I could do with a bit less telling off, but there you go".

Independent

I suspect they got an even worse telling off from Mrs Piper than we did.

Independent

"Should I go give that guy a telling off?" she asked.

The New York Times - Science

This proudly self-promotional comedian also knows that telling off popular figures will help sell tickets to her shows.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Traders are notorious for using profanity and telling off-color jokes, and Mr. Bloomberg is no exception.

The New York Times

JP Morgan got a milder telling-off.

The Guardian - Business

Ganguly gives him a good telling-off.

The Guardian - Sport

I got a row, a proper telling-off.

The Guardian - Sport

The environmental-protection bureau in Beijing called Mr Pan in for a telling-off.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In British English contexts, this phrase is particularly effective for describing a verbal correction that is firm but not necessarily professional or legal in nature.

Common error

Do not confuse "telling off" (reprimanding someone) with 'telling on' (reporting someone's misdeeds to an authority). For example, 'I gave him a telling off' means you scolded him, whereas 'I told on him' means you snitched to someone else.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "telling off" functions primarily as a gerund or a verbal noun. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it often appears following a verb of reception or delivery, such as 'gave me a telling off' or 'received a telling off'. It originates from the phrasal verb 'tell off', but has evolved into a stable noun phrase used to describe the act of reprimanding.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki & General Knowledge

15%

Informal & Blogs

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "telling off" is a versatile and widely accepted phrase in English, particularly within British linguistic spheres. Ludwig AI data confirms that it is most frequently used to describe a sharp verbal reprimand in a way that is more relatable than formal workplace terminology. Whether used as a noun ('a stern "telling off"') or a gerund ('"telling off" the boss'), it accurately conveys a sense of correction and authority. While perfectly suitable for journalism and general writing, writers should opt for more formal synonyms in academic or professional legal contexts to maintain the appropriate tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ticking-off

A very close British English synonym that is slightly more colloquial.

reprimand

Offers a much more formal and professional tone suitable for workplace or official environments.

scolding

Commonly used in parental or domestic contexts specifically when correcting children.

chewing out

An American English equivalent that is significantly more informal and aggressive.

rebuke

Expresses a sharper and often more public form of criticism or disapproval.

dressing-down

Implies a more severe or thorough verbal punishment often in a hierarchical setting.

admonishment

A formal term that implies a warning along with the criticism.

reproach

Focuses more on the expression of disappointment or shame regarding behavior.

lecture

Suggests a longer and more repetitive speech about what someone did wrong.

tongue-lashing

Conveys a much higher intensity of anger and verbal force.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "telling off" in a professional email?

In professional contexts, you should use more formal terms like "reprimand", "formal warning" or "official rebuke".

Is "telling off" considered informal English?

Yes, while it appears frequently in news media, it is generally categorized as neutral to informal. For academic or legal writing, consider using "admonition" instead.

What is the difference between "telling off" and "scolding"?

The phrase "scolding" is often associated with the way an adult speaks to a child, while "telling off" is broader and can be used between peers, coworkers or in public confrontations.

Is it "telling off" or "telling-off" with a hyphen?

Both are used, but the hyphenated version "telling-off" is often preferred when the phrase functions as a compound noun (e.g., 'he got a telling-off').