Your lack of experience will tell against you in this interview.
tell against
idiomTo function as a liability (for someone); to put into a condition of disadvantage.
The candidate's history of missed deadlines will likely tell against him when the manager decides who to promote.
While his impressive academic record was a strength, his inability to work well within a team told against him during the final selection process.
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a little bird told me
I received the information from a source which I am not prepared to disclose.
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all told
With everything included, counted, or summed; in total.
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don't tell me
Used to introduce a guess at a fact or situation, as if forestalling the other speaker's utterance.
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I can tell you
Emphasises the truth of a statement.
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I tell a lie
I am mistaken; I thought that what I said (or wrote) was true, but I have just realised that it is not.
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I tell you
Synonym of I can tell you.
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I'll tell you
Synonym of I can tell you.
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kiss and tell
To betray a confidence by disclosing private information, especially of a sexual nature.
Last updated April 17, 2026