tell time

• tell the time (UK)

From tell in the sense of “count”.

tell time (third-person singular simple present tells time, present participle telling time, simple past and past participle told time)

1. To measure time, to determine the current time.

   Synonym: keep time

   Ancient civilizations told time at night by the passage of stars.

2. (specifically) To read the time as displayed on an analog clock.

   He couldn't tell time until he was in his teens.

• Millette