teachable moment

American  

[tee-chuh-buhl moh-muhnt] / ˈti tʃə bəl ˈmoʊ mənt /

noun

1. a specific occurrence, situation, or experience that can be used to teach people about something more general.

   Her death created a teachable moment about prescription drug abuse.

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Etymology

Origin of teachable moment

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

This is a teachable moment for us in the media.

From Salon

“It’s a teachable moment, so I’ll use it. I’m not a big fan of it. … If a guy gets into your head, now you’re more worried about a personal battle instead of focusing on the game.”

From Washington Post

This teachable moment only means that her righteousness and Bill's indifference will come into play again later as "Stillwater" lumbers to its conclusion.

From Salon

“The school district took what could have been a teachable moment about respecting diversity of viewpoints and turned it into a clear civil rights violation,” said Tom Fitton, president of Judicial Watch.

From Washington Times

"The school district took what could have been a teachable moment about respecting diversity of viewpoints and turned it into a clear civil rights violation," Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton said in a statement.

From Fox News