Meaning & use
cautionary tales
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“cautionary tales” is a form of “cautionary tale”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nouncountable
A story or real event that teaches a lesson by showing the bad results of a certain behavior.
Grammar: Countable; the singular is 'cautionary tale'. Often used with 'about' or 'of' to say what the lesson concerns.
Patterns
- a cautionary tale about something
- a cautionary tale of something
- serve as a cautionary tale
The fall of that company is a cautionary tale about the dangers of growing too fast.
My grandmother told us a cautionary tale of a boy who ignored his parents and got lost in the woods.
The documentary uses the town's experience as a cautionary tale for other coastal communities.
nounpluralliterary
Traditional stories, often for children, that warn against disobedience or foolish behavior.
Grammar: Used in the plural to refer to a genre or collection of such stories; the singular 'cautionary tale' refers to one story.
Patterns
- cautionary tales for children
- a collection of cautionary tales
Many fairy tales are cautionary tales that warn children not to wander off alone.
The book is a collection of cautionary tales, each ending with a clear moral.
Word forms
| singular | cautionary tale |
|---|
Common combinations
- a cautionary tale about
- The scandal became a cautionary tale about the misuse of power.
- serve as a cautionary tale
- His failed business serves as a cautionary tale for young entrepreneurs.
- a classic cautionary tale
- The movie is a classic cautionary tale of ambition gone wrong.
- a cautionary tale for
- The accident is a cautionary tale for anyone who texts while driving.
Synonyms and how they differ
- warning
- A warning is a direct statement of danger; a cautionary tale teaches the danger indirectly through a story.
- moral story
- A moral story emphasizes the lesson itself; a cautionary tale emphasizes the bad outcome that illustrates the lesson.
- parable
- A parable is a short story with a moral, often religious; a cautionary tale specifically warns against something.
Word family
- caution noun
- Careful attention to avoid danger or mistakes.
- cautionary adjective
- Giving a warning; used in the phrase 'cautionary tale'.
- cautious adjective
- Being careful to avoid risks.
- cautiously adverb
- In a careful way, to avoid danger.
Commonly confused: cautionary tales or cautionary tail?
cautionary tales vs cautionary tail
A 'tail' is the part of an animal's body; 'tale' means a story. The correct phrase is 'cautionary tale'.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'cautionary tale' correctly?
Choose one answer.
A cautionary tale warns about bad consequences, so 'about the dangers of greed' fits. The other options describe stories that entertain, celebrate, or lack a warning, which contradicts the meaning.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “cautionary tales”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.