tell against
The phrase "tell against" is used to describe a situation where a factor or piece of evidence negatively impacts someone's chances or credibility.
🇺🇸 US Voice:
🇬🇧 UK Voice:
Definition
C1General
(idiomatic)To be a disadvantage or negative factor for someone or something.
Example
- His lack of experience may tell against him in the job interview.
- The small budget could tell against the project's success.
C1Legal
(idiomatic, legal)To serve as evidence that casts doubt upon someone or something.
Example
- The witness's testimony may tell against the defendant.
- New evidence has emerged that could tell against his alibi.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "tell against":
tell ontell talestell alltell offtell the truthtelling offturn againsttell it to the judge