teach (someone) a lesson
idiom
: to make it less likely that a person will repeat doing something bad
I'm glad they got caught. That will teach them a lesson!
Examples of teach (someone) a lesson in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Noticing Lisa is depressed, Gaga takes her under her wing to teach a lesson in confidence.
—
Kimberly Aguirre, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2024
Mundane forms of retaliation can teach a lesson more clearly than ignoring the transgressor’s wrongdoing, says Susan Boon, a psychology professor at the University of Calgary.
—Allie Volpe, Vox, 14 June 2024
What is a candy bar worth when a child’s suffering not only doesn’t teach a lesson, but can actually cause further harm — like more jail time in the future?
—Meghan Leahy, Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2024
Taking part in a class-action lawsuit can teach a lesson, too.
—John Kelly, Washington Post, 24 Sep. 2022
Advertisement Rabbi Kushner rejected traditional explanations for tragedy — the notion, for example, that God employs suffering to teach a lesson, or that God has a plan unknowable to mortals.
—Emily Langer, Washington Post, 5 May 2023
Dear Solution: What a clever way to teach a lesson while making others in need feel good.
—Annie Lane, oregonlive, 15 Feb. 2022
My intent with the calisthenics was to teach a lesson about the importance of practice and discipline.
—Stephen Borelli, USA TODAY, 26 May 2023
Politis is one of several parents upset that a preschool teacher at Studio Kids’ Little River location used blackface to teach a lesson about Black History Month.
—Orlando Sentinel, 10 Feb. 2023
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Kimberly Aguirre, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2024
Mundane forms of retaliation can teach a lesson more clearly than ignoring the transgressor’s wrongdoing, says Susan Boon, a psychology professor at the University of Calgary.
—Allie Volpe, Vox, 14 June 2024
What is a candy bar worth when a child’s suffering not only doesn’t teach a lesson, but can actually cause further harm — like more jail time in the future?
—Meghan Leahy, Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2024
Taking part in a class-action lawsuit can teach a lesson, too.
—John Kelly, Washington Post, 24 Sep. 2022
Advertisement Rabbi Kushner rejected traditional explanations for tragedy — the notion, for example, that God employs suffering to teach a lesson, or that God has a plan unknowable to mortals.
—Emily Langer, Washington Post, 5 May 2023
Dear Solution: What a clever way to teach a lesson while making others in need feel good.
—Annie Lane, oregonlive, 15 Feb. 2022
My intent with the calisthenics was to teach a lesson about the importance of practice and discipline.
—Stephen Borelli, USA TODAY, 26 May 2023
Politis is one of several parents upset that a preschool teacher at Studio Kids’ Little River location used blackface to teach a lesson about Black History Month.
—Orlando Sentinel, 10 Feb. 2023
Dictionary Entries Near teach (someone) a lesson
Cite this Entry
“Teach (someone) a lesson.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/teach%20%28someone%29%20a%20lesson. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share