Learn English – How would you say “to scold” in a less formal way

phrase-requestword-request

Luke’s mother scolded him for having spent too much money last weekend.

I've read in the Cambridge Dictionary that to scold is an old-fashioned term in British English, so I guess it wouldn't be used in a less formal context. How would you express the same idea in an everyday language?

Best Answer

Less formally, you might consider tell off.

tell sb off
— phrasal verb with tell
​to speak angrily to someone because they have done something wrong:

  • The teacher told me off for swearing.
  • Mum told me off for slopping water all down her shirt.
  • If you make your sister cry, you'll get told off.
  • Their teacher told them off for chattering in the lesson.
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