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Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

tell against en · VERB

Pronunciation

Meanings

  1. (idiomatic, transitive) To function as a liability (for someone); to put into a condition of disadvantage.
    • [S]ome people . . . have been so short-sighted and reckless as to clamor for an easy dissolution of the marriage-contract. . . . Is it possible that they do not see that this is a liberty which, once granted, would always tell against the weaker sex? 1871, Harriet Beecher Stowe, chapter 27, in Pink and White Tyranny:
    • [H]ard as he worked, his age was beginning to tell against him. 2003 June 23, First Chapter: Auto da Fay by Fay Weldon, New York Times
    • Ernest's want of muscular strength did not tell against him here. 1903, Samuel Butler, chapter 34, in The Way of All Flesh:
  2. (idiomatic, transitive) To serve as evidence which casts doubt upon.
    • [T]he comma tells against this reading. 2002 Oct. 1, John Grimshaw, Clue Challenge: BOLE, The Times (UK)
    • She knew he was disposed to catch at anything that seemed to tell against Godwin's claims. 1892, George Gissing, chapter 2, in Born In Exile:
    • "Such a fact must tell against the theory." 1905, Arthur Conan Doyle, “The Adventure of the Six Napoleons,”, in The Return of Sherlock Holmes:

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
told against Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
told against Tense=Past lexicographic
tells against Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres lexicographic
telling against Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part lexicographic

Relateds

counter-evidence

Synonyms

disadvantage (function as a liability) · weigh against (serve as evidence which casts doubt upon) · weigh against (function as a liability) · discredit (serve as evidence which casts doubt upon)