You really ought to call your mother today.
ought to
idiomyou use this to say what is the right or best thing to do. It is also used to say that something is likely to happen.
The weather report says it ought to stop raining by the time we leave for the park.
Given his years of dedicated service to the organization, one would expect that he ought to be considered for the upcoming promotion.
Last updated April 22, 2026