Definition of the word tell against

The phrase "tell against" is a figurative expression that originated in Middle English and literally means "speak against." In its original sense, it referred to a situation in which a person's words or actions betrayed them and served as evidence against them in a legal or accusatory context. During the medieval period, "tell against" was commonly used in reference to witnesses testifying in a court of law or in legal disputes. It also had a more general meaning, indicating that someone's words or behavior had revealed a secret, betrayed a confidence, or contradicted their own previous statements. In contemporary usage, "tell against" still has the same core meaning, but it is primarily used in informal or idiomatic speech. It may be applied in a wide range of situations, from everyday arguments and disagreements to more serious matters such as criminal investigations, disputes between businesses, or personal conflicts. The idiomatic use of "tell against" highlights the way that one's own words or actions can provide evidence that contradicts or undermines their own position, effectively undermining their own case.