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

Outspent in the general election and subjected to an onslaught of negative ads and mailers and headlines in the weeks leading up to election day, she nevertheless trounced De León, a Latino political giant now reduced to a cautionary tale after his fall from grace for his role in a secretly recorded conversation that upended L.A. politics.

From Los Angeles Times

Having read the book, it’s hard to imagine a better fit for the cautionary tale of “The Substance.”

From Los Angeles Times

Ultimately, “The Apprentice” is a cautionary tale as much as it is an origin story.

From Salon

And yet, the “before and after” of R.E.M.’s career became for its hardcore fans a cautionary tale about a band gaining the world and losing its soul — a charge that Carlin regards as grossly unfair and misguided.

From Los Angeles Times

No one could, and that should serve as a cautionary tale.

From Salon