Differences between rat on and tell on
Rat on and tell on both mean to report someone's wrongdoing or misbehavior, but rat on has a more negative connotation and is often used when the speaker disapproves of the behavior being reported. Tell on, on the other hand, is a more neutral term that can be used in a wider range of contexts.
Meanings and Definitions: rat on vs tell on
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
Rat on
- 1Inform authorities about someone's wrongdoings.
She RATTED ON her neighbours to the police because they were smuggling alcohol from France.
- 2Fail to keep a promise.
He always RATS ON his promises.
Tell on
- 1Report someone to an authority.
The pupil TOLD ON the others for cheating and the teacher failed them.
Usage Examples: rat on, tell on in Sentences
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
rat on
Example
She would never rat on her friends, no matter what.
Example
He often rats on his classmates when they break the rules.
tell on
Example
If you don't stop making noise, I will tell on you to the teacher.
Example
She always tells on her classmates when they break the rules.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Rat on
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Tell on
To let someone know about something that has happened or someone's behavior.
Example
The school principal notified the parents about the upcoming parent-teacher conference.
Explore more Phrasal Verbs
Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles
Phrasal Verbs with “rat”
Phrasal Verbs with “tell”
Phrasal Verbs with “on”
Differences in rat on vs tell on: Usage, Formality, and Tone
Frequency in Daily Use: rat on or tell on?
Both rat on and tell on are commonly used in everyday conversation, but tell on is more common in formal settings like schools or workplaces where reporting misconduct is necessary. Rat on is more informal and is often used in casual conversations among friends or family members.
Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of rat on and tell on
Tell on is more formal than rat on and is often used in professional or academic settings where reporting misconduct is necessary. Rat on is informal and is often used in casual conversations among friends or family members.
Tone and Implication: The Nuances of rat on and tell on
The tone of rat on is often negative and judgmental, while tell on is more neutral and objective. Rat on implies that the person reporting is betraying someone's trust or breaking an unwritten code of loyalty, while tell on simply means reporting what happened without any moral judgment.
