Thatll teach you!

Neil Hello, and welcome to The English We Speak with me, Neil and errr… where’s Feifei?

Feifei …sorry I’m late. Hello!

Neil Goodness, it’s not like you to be late. You’re always so punctual and… smartly dressed. But today you look a mess - if you don’t mind me saying.

Feifei I do mind you saying, Neil. It’s been a very stressful morning. I didn’t have time to shower, iron my clothes or even have breakfast.

Neil Hmm. Did you get up late by any chance?

Feifei Yes, you’re right. I forgot to set my alarm last night. So I overslept!

Neil
Has this got anything to do with you going out last night? I suppose you’re going to tell me you had such a great time, you stayed out later than expected?

Feifei Yes, how did you guess? I had one of the best nights out for a long time - but I’m regretting it now!

Neil Ah well, that’ll teach you for staying out late - enjoying yourself!

Feifei ‘That’ll teach me’? I’m not going to school - nobody is going to ‘teach me’ not to stay out late.

Neil It’s just a saying, Feifei. You might say it to someone to suggest that they should learn the bad effects of doing something and not repeat it in the future. In other words, your stress this morning is a suitable punishment for staying out late last night - you won’t do it again.

Feifei You sound like my parents!

Neil These examples might explain the phrase better…

Examples You lent some money to Dan and he didn’t pay you back - that’ll teach you!

My brother got a speeding ticket for driving too fast down the High Street - that’ll teach him!

The footballer got a red card for his bad tackle and now he’ll miss playing in the final - that’ll teach him!

Feifei This is The English We Speak from BBC Learning English and we’re hearing about the phrase ‘that’ll teach you’ which is said to someone to mean they should learn from the bad effects of what they’ve done. I guess we could also say ‘it serves you right!’?

Neil Yes, it’s a very informal but blunt way of saying ‘your suffering is your own fault’. And for you it’s true.

Feifei But do you know what, Neil - despite my suffering, I had a really good night out.

Neil Oh did you? And who did you have this ‘great night out’ with?

Feifei Everyone from the office. We all went to the pub and then onto a nightclub. That’ll teach you for leaving the office early, Neil. You left too early and you missed out!

Neil Hmm. That’s enough teaching for one day. I’m off.

Feifei Bye!