In
Tell off - English Phrasal Verb - UsingEnglish.com "chide" is a bit of a hard word though. Perhaps "reprimand" would be easier - longer, but easier...? The 'talk to someone angrily...' periphrasis is good though.
Also, 'tell off' can take an object complement (
- I still have a lot to learn about formal grammar...) after "for":
"Don't tread on the flower-beds. Archie will tell you off if you do."
and
"Archie told me off
for walking on the flower-beds."
b