# cautionary tale

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/cautionary-tale
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A story, originally told in folklore, to warn its audience of a certain danger.

## Examples

- His failed business is a cautionary tale for new entrepreneurs.
- The documentary about the company's collapse serves as a cautionary tale for anyone ignoring basic safety rules.
- The rise and fall of the empire remains a cautionary tale, illustrating how unchecked ambition inevitably leads to ruin.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.