1
general::
Phrase(s): tell someone on someone
to tattle to someone about someone. • I’m going to tell your mother on you! • I’ll tell the teacher on you!, Phrase(s): tell on someone
to report someone’s bad behavior; to tattle on someone. • If you do that again, I’ll tell on you! • Please don’t tell on me. I’m in enough trouble as it is.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
Tattle on, inform on, as in Marjorie said she'd tell on him if he pulled her hair again. This seemingly modern term appeared in a 1539 translation of the Bible (I Samuel 27:11): "David saved neither man nor woman . . . for fear (said he) lest they should tell on us."
American Heritage Idioms