teachable moment

[tee-chuh-buhl moh-muhnt]

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of teachable moment¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

“It sends a signal to victims that despite the MeToo movement, we’re still not there in believing victims and understanding the context of exploitation. But I’m hoping it’s a teachable moment to connect the dots with what trafficking is and understanding the complexity of coercion.”

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Let’s call it a “teachable moment.”

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Indeed, the bottomless cynicism of the White House “white genocide” teachable moment strikes me as its most salient characteristic.

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So let’s turn Simpson’s passing into a teachable moment by revisiting his record.

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It’s a bit cliché, but this must become a teachable moment.

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