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to teach somebody a lesson
01
to hurt or punish someone in a way that ensures one they will never repeat their past behavior
Idiom
Informal
What is the origin of the idiom "teach someone a lesson" and when to use it?
The origin of the idiom "teach someone a lesson" can be traced back to the notion of imparting knowledge or wisdom through experience. Teaching, in this context, refers to educating someone about the consequences of their actions. The idiom likely evolved over time as a metaphorical expression to describe the act of ensuring that someone learns from their mistakes or wrongdoing by subjecting them to a situation that serves as a lesson. It is often used in situations where someone has behaved inappropriately, hurt others, or committed a wrongdoing.
Example
If he keeps making those threats, I'm going to have to fill him in and teach him a lesson.
When the athlete violated team rules, the coach benched him to teach him a lesson about discipline.
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