cautionary tale

American  

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

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.

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Etymology

Origin of cautionary tale

First recorded in 1810–20

Example Sentences

The film is, he said, is "another parable of parental crisis dressed up as a brightly coloured family adventure" - and a "cautionary tale about online childhoods".

From BBC • Jun. 17, 2026

"I hope I'll be a cautionary tale to someone who's in my position to make better choices."

From BBC • May 27, 2026

The 2021 “transitory” episode is a relevant cautionary tale.

From MarketWatch • May 8, 2026

I mean, the cautionary tale in a way for me is how well the intelligence committee often does work in the Senate.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

The horrors of Nazi eugenics inspired a cautionary tale, prompting a global reexamination of the ambitions that had spurred the effort.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee