tell off

verb4

1. •
   To rebuke, to reprimand, or to admonish, often in a harsh, angry, direct way.

   • Joel's boss told him off for being late again.
2. •
   To number off (a group of soldiers); to divide up (soldiers) in this way.

   • To equalize a battalion is to tell off a certain number of companies, usually eight, in such a manner that the several component parts shall consist of the same number of men. — 1885
3. •
   To count off (numbers, members of a sequence etc.); to enumerate.

   • The Recruit looked thoughtful and told off the days on his fingers. — 1903
4. •
   To assign (someone) to a particular task, duty etc.; to depute, to allocate.

   • The provisions were packed over night and sent down by boat, in charge of the steward of the Gtdnare or some person specially told off for the purpose. — 1887