Told me off

Question

they told me off for stealing apples.This is an example sentence for the phrasal verb "tell off" from Collins dictionaries.https://www.phrasalverbdemon.com/prepoff.htmWhich meaning of "off" is used here? How do we know when to use off in order to make new phrasal verbs?

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

JigneshbharatiWhich meaning of "off" is used here?

None. It is not possible to assign a meaning to either the first or the second component of a phrasal verb. That's the whole point behind phrasal verbs: Their meaning does not depend on combining the meanings of the two components that are combined to form them.

tell has one or more meanings in the dictionary.
off has another one or more meanings in the dictionary.
tell off is now like a completely different word. It can have one or more meanings not related to either the meaning of 'tell' or to the meaning of 'off'.

JigneshbharatiHow do we know when to use off in order to make new phrasal verbs?

You and I cannot use 'off' or any other words to make new phrasal verbs. We only use the ones which already exist. Yes, there are occasionally some new phrasal verbs which are newly introduced into English, but then usually by native speakers who are good writers and prominent enough and clever enough that others might think their new phrasal verb is "cool", and then others start to use it, too.

In short, do not try to make up your own phrasal verbs. It is never necessary, and you and I are much more likely to fail than to succeed at doing this.

CJ

Told me off

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