Meaning of tell against | Babel Free

Definitions

1. To function as a liability (for someone); to put into a condition of disadvantage.
   idiomatic, transitive
2. To serve as evidence which casts doubt upon.
   idiomatic, transitive

Examples

“[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?”

“Ernest's want of muscular strength did not tell against him here.”

“[H]ard as he worked, his age was beginning to tell against him.”

“She knew he was disposed to catch at anything that seemed to tell against Godwin's claims.”

“"Such a fact must tell against the theory."”

“[T]he comma tells against this reading.”

CEFR level