that'll teach you!

INFORMAL
This page is about the conversational phrase that'll teach you!

Meaning

You can say this after something bad has happened to someone who should have been more careful, or should have known better.

For example

  • "Oh no! Someone's stolen my phone!"
    "That'll teach you! I told you not to leave it on the table, didn't I?"

  • "I lost a thousand dollars at the casino last night."
    "That'll teach you to gamble, won't it?"

Note:
Also "That'll teach him!", "That'll teach her!", "That'll teach them!", etc.

Quick Quiz

Arina said, "That'll teach you!" to her husband. He

a. had a hangover

b. had a headache

c. had a toothache
a) had a hangover b) had a headache c) had a toothache

Contributor: Matt Errey