Episode #2 of the course “Common English phrasal verbs: Part 2” by Angela Boothroyd
tell off
To tell off somebody (or tell somebody off) is to speak angrily to someone because they have done something wrong.
Informal English.
tick off has a very similar meaning.
Examples of use:
a) Mum will tell you off for breaking that window.
b) Our English teacher told us off for throwing paper aeroplanes in class.
c) He tells us off for the smallest things.
d) Twitter status update from the Mayor of London:
Just been told off for cycling inside city hall. Sorry security!
e) News headline: Woman told off for giving ducks wrong kind of bread.
fall out
1. To fall out with someone is to become upset or angry with them, and stop being friendly with them.
Examples of use:
a) We fell out over something very small.
b) I fell out with my sister because she broke my necklace.
c) Ingrid and Beatrice fell out when Ingrid crashed Beatrice’s car.
d) Marcus and Akos have fallen out.
A falling-out (noun) is an argument or disagreement.
Example of use:
Jerry hasn’t spoken to his brother for years. They had a falling-out over money.
2. If your hair falls out it becomes loose and unattached.
Examples of use:
a) My hair fell out when I was ill.
b) My father’s hair started to fall out when he was only 30, and now he is completely bald.
fall over
1. To fall over is to fall to the ground from an upright position.
Examples of use:
a) The marathon runner fell over.
b) He stood up quickly and his chair fell over.
c) My son is learning to walk and he keeps falling over.
d) Their grandmother has fallen over and broken her hip.
2. If you fall over yourself (or fall all over yourself) to do something, you are very keen to do it.
Examples of use:
a) Chris fell over himself trying to impress his new wife.
b) The supermarkets are falling over themselves to attract customers to their shops.
Recommended book
“Phrasal Verb Fun: Learn phrasal verbs easily, naturally and faster than ever before” by Peter Gray
Share with friends