cautionary tale

[kaw-shuh-ner-ee teyl] / ˈkɔ ʃəˌnɛr i ˈteɪl /

NOUN

piece of advice

Synonyms

WEAK

a few words of wisdom admonition advisory caution light caveat deterrent example enough said event illustrating a hazard forewarning hint lesson message moral omen portent red flag sign of things to come wake-up call warning word to the wise

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The willingness of the state to use force to break strikes proved a cautionary tale.

From The Wall Street Journal

At the beginning of the series, setting the table for what’s to come, Marian declares, “This is not a story in the conventional sense”; it’s “a cautionary tale,” but “not a tale of murder. This is a story of rebirth,” presumably hers.

From Los Angeles Times

This holiday season, as families gather for Thanksgiving and winter celebrations, I’m hoping to serve as your cautionary tale with this excerpt from my new book, “My Mother’s Money: A Guide to Financial Caregiving,” so that you can be better prepared to handle your loved ones’ worldly affairs as you continue to make meaningful memories with them.

From MarketWatch

Cautionary tale: Remember the Red Sox and “The Curse of the Bambino.”

From Los Angeles Times

Equal parts international intrigue, concert film and VH1-style “Behind the Music” cautionary tale, the documentary raises some interesting if ultimately unanswerable questions as it compellingly inhabits its very specific place in time.

From Los Angeles Times