example (redirected from exampled)

Example is better than precept.

Prov. You will teach people more effectively by being a good example than you will by telling them what to do. Mother never lectured us; she just tried her best to be a good person, and we tried hard to be like her. She was living proof that example is better than precept.

See also: better

hold someone or something up as an example

Fig. to single out someone or something as a person or thing worthy of imitation. No one has ever held me up as an example. Jane held up Doris as an example. I hate to hold myself up as an example, but if you would do what I do, at least I wouldn't criticize you.

See also: hold, up

make an example of someone

to do something to someone that shows the bad results of bad behavior; to point to someone as a bad example. The judge said that he would make an example of Sally and would fine her the maximum amount. The teacher made an example of me to the class, with a detention on the first day of school.

See also: make

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make an example of somebody

to punish someone for doing something so that other people will not do the same thing They want to make an example of him by keeping him in prison under very difficult conditions.

See also: make