speak against someone—say bad things about smb.; give a speech against a person:
- Those who spoke against me had never met me. They had never read a word I had written.
tell against someone—said of smth. such as age, etc. that prevents a person from being successful:
- There may be many minor evil habits that he should rid himself of—habits that will tell against him.
Note:
a) The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase inform against someone—give evidence against a person to the police, etc.:
- Their property was confiscated by the state or turned over to those who informed against them.
b) The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase tell on someone—
1. have an effect on a person’s health:
- If there’s something on your mind, it will soon tell on you, so whether you’re depressed, or just plain stressed, seek medical help.
2. (used especially by children) tell about a person who has done smth. wrong (in order to get him into trouble):
- Should he try to convince his friends that what they were doing was wrong, or tell on his friends which may cost him their friendship?