make an example of

Idioms  

1. Punish someone so as to be a warning to others, as in The teacher made an example of the boy she caught cheating, or The judge imposed a tough sentence to make an example of the car thieves. This usage is first recorded in John Wycliffe's followers' translation of the Bible (c. 1382).

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Example Sentences

Why did he have to make an example of a player who was understandably overeager on what could have been one of the triumphant nights of his life?

From Los Angeles Times

Judge Nina Wang later pointed to this tweet as evidence that the administration “sought to make an example of Ms. Vizguerra-Ramirez by arresting and detaining an individual with a high profile as a labor and immigration activist.”

From Slate

The coach did not make an example of Vinicius, and instead restored his near untouchable status -- even through a run of 16 matches without scoring, which finally ended in Jeddah.

From Barron's

Attorney Jeanine Pirro tried to make an example of him by charging him with felony assault of a federal officer.

From Slate

Ursula Jones Dickson had previously warned that the announced stand down in San Francisco could be a sign the administration was looking to focus on Oakland instead — and make an example of it.

From Los Angeles Times