Phrase guide

tell all

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • /ˌtɛl ˈɔːl/
  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -ɔːl

1

verb

Meaning 1

To reveal everything, particularly information that is normally withheld.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • The suspect told all when he saw the surveillance tapes linking him to the crime scene.
  • The actress's earthy new book tells all.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see tell, all.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • She told all of the news to her friends.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.