cautionary tale

[ kaw-shuh-ner-ee teyl ]

noun

1. a story, experience, or situation that serves as a warning to others:

   The malware's devastating effect on her files became a cautionary tale about the importance of antivirus software.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cautionary tale¹

First recorded in 1810–20

Example Sentences

As an example of good science-and-society policymaking, the history of fluoride may be more of a cautionary tale.

From The Daily Beast

Whilst Whitacre never defined himself as an “ally,” this remains a cautionary tale of what not to do.

From The Daily Beast

A truly cautionary tale of a 77-year-old versus the Internet.

From The Daily Beast

In Ireland, the name of Sean Quinn will be forever linked in the public mind as the ultimate cautionary tale of riches to rags.

From The Daily Beast

Gerald Ford and the swine flu pandemic that never happened in 1976 is a cautionary tale that government action can backfire.

From The Daily Beast

“Little Nancy, or, the Punishment of Greediness,” is representative of this sort of moral and cautionary tale.

From Project Gutenberg