Cool MateDiscuss vs Tell me all about it
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Discuss
Top 2,000 (common)A1verb
Tell me all about it
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: Discuss
| Discuss | Tell me all about it | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/dɪˈskʌs/","/dɪˈskʌsɪz/","/dɪˈskʌst/","/dɪˈskʌsɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dɪˈskʌs/","/dɪˈskʌsɪz/","/dɪˈskʌst/","/dɪˈskʌsɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //tɛl mi ɔːl əˈbaʊt ɪt//🇺🇸 //tɛl mi ɔl əˈbaʊt ɪt// |
| Meaning | To talk about something with others. | Say everything regarding a topic. |
| Example | Let's discuss the details of the project in the meeting. | When you return from your trip, just tell me all about it! |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | exhaustively, fully, in detail, convene (something) to, meet to, want to, with, as discussed, a forum to discuss something, have something to discuss, exhaustively, fully, in detail, convene (something) to, meet to, want to, with, as discussed, a forum to discuss something, have something to discuss | tell me everything, tell me more, tell all, tell stories, tell me your thoughts |
| Antonyms | ignore, neglect, overlook | - |
| Common mistakes | Using 'discuss' without an object, e.g., saying 'We will discuss' instead of 'We will discuss the topic'., Confusing with 'disclosure' which is related to revealing information, not talking about it., Misusing in passive voice, e.g., 'The topic was discussed by us' is awkward; prefer active voice. | Learners use a formal tone when this phrase is informal., Overuse in formal situations where detailed reporting is needed., Omit the 'tell me' making it sound incomplete. |
| Usage notes | Used in both spoken and written contexts. Appropriate for academic, business, and casual conversations. Avoid in very casual contexts where simpler terms like 'talk about' might be preferred. | Use this phrase to ask someone for a detailed description. It's friendly and casual, suitable among friends or in informal settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Discuss vs Tell me all about it
What's the difference between Discuss and Tell me all about it?
Discuss: To talk about something with others. Tell me all about it: Say everything regarding a topic.
Which is more formal: Discuss and Tell me all about it?
Discuss is the most formal of these.
Can you show an example of each?
Discuss: Let's discuss the details of the project in the meeting. Tell me all about it: When you return from your trip, just tell me all about it!
Can I use Discuss and Tell me all about it interchangeably?
Not always. Discuss and Tell me all about it are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.