do tell
An exclamation of surprised or incredulous curiosity, sometimes (but not necessarily) a literal prompt for the speaker to tell more. You're getting a divorce? Do tell!
I told you so!
I warned you that this would happen; I told you things would turn out this way. A: "That car I bought online turned out to be a complete piece of junk!" B: "See? I told you so!"
tell a (little) white lie
To tell a seemingly small, insignificant, or harmless lie, often presumably in order not to offend or upset someone. I knew Jenny would be upset if she knew I didn't want go to the movies with her tomorrow, so I just told her a white lie about having to take care of my elderly grandmother. Don't get into the habit of telling little white lies, or, pretty soon, you'll start telling big, fat, ugly ones.
tell fortunes
To (profess to) anticipate, and inform about, future outcomes or see what future events will take place. There's this old lady in the apartment next to mine who tells fortunes for ten bucks. I never go in for stuff like that, but I'll admit that I'm a bit curious.
tell (someone) what's what
To inform someone of the true facts or most fundamental information (about someone or something). After putting it off for a week, Sarah finally told Jane what's what and ended their relationship. You're so na?ve about the way you think this business operates, so allow me to finally tell you what's what.
(if the) truth be told
I must admit; to be honest; in actuality. Truth be told, even though I majored in English literature, I've never read anything by Hemingway! I know I said I wanted to go out to the bars tonight, but if the truth be told, I'd rather just stay home and watch a movie.
(one's) little finger told (one) that
A phrase used when the speaker has learned something by unconventional means. Pain in one's fingers was once regarded as an indicator of things to come. Oh dear, I just knew that they were going to break up this weekend—my little finger told me that.
a little bird told me
A phrase used when one does not want to reveal the source of the information that one is about to share or has shared. Did you hear that Mark is planning to propose to Sarah soon? Yes, a little bird told me.
tell (one) where to shove it
An expression of frustration or anger. The phrase encourages the person in question to shove something up his or her buttocks. If she assigns me one more project, I'm going to tell her where to shove it! A: "How did you end up in jail?" B: "Well, the officer tried to give me a parking ticket, and I told him where to shove it."
all told
In total. This phrase can be applied to numerical sums or to the collective aspects of something. I made a lot in tips this week—$300 all told. Yeah, it rained a lot during our vacation, but all told we had a great time.
all told
Fig. totaled up; including all parts. All told, he earned about $700 last week. All told, he has many fine characteristics.
if I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times
Fig. an expression that introduces a scolding, usually to a child. Mother: If I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times, don't leave your clothes in a pile on the floor! Bill: Sorry. "If I've toldyou once, I've told you a thousand times, keep out of my study!" yelled Bob.
little bird told me
Fig. a way of indicating that you do not want to reveal who told you something. (Sometimes used playfully, when you think that the person you are addressing knows or can guess who was the source of your information.) Jill: Thank you for the beautiful present! How did you know I wanted a green silk scarf? Jane: A little bird told me. Bill: How did you find out it was my birthday? Jane: A little bird told me.
all told
Added up, in summation, as in The ferry will hold 80 passengers all told, or All told, his proposal makes some good points. This idiom, first recorded in 1850, uses the verb tell in the sense of "count."
do tell
A phrase used to express surprise about something, as in
Jane's getting married again? Do tell. This expression does not necessarily ask the speaker to provide more details but merely expresses one's astonishment.
[Colloquial; first half of 1800] For a synonym, see
you don't say.
I told you so
I warned you in advance, especially of a bad outcome. For example, It's too bad your guests didn't get along with each other, but remember, I told you so .
little bird told one, a
A source one cannot or will not identify gave this information, as in How did you learn they were getting a divorce?-Oh, a little bird told me. Versions of this idiom date from ancient times and appear in numerous proverb collections.