teach a lesson
Punish in order to prevent a recurrence of bad behavior. For example, Timmy set the wastebasket on fire; that should teach him a lesson about playing with matches. This term uses lesson in the sense of “a punishment or rebuke,” a usage dating from the late 1500s. Also see learn one's lesson.
Words nearby teach a lesson
teabread,
teac,
teacake,
teacart,
teach,
teach a lesson,
teach an old dog new tricks,
teach-in,
teachable,
teachable moment,
teacher