can/could teach/tell somebody a thing or two

could teach (someone) a thing or two (about someone or something)

1. Could inform someone of the facts or several pieces of information (about someone or something). I know you're from the countryside and not used to city folk, but I could teach you a thing or two about New Yorkers. If you want to learn about the history of cinema, then you should ask Jeff—he could teach you a thing or two. Teenagers always think they know everything, when, in reality, their parents could still teach them a thing or two about life in the real world.

2. Could correct or confront someone about his, her, or their mistaken belief or incorrect point of view (about someone or something). That jerk has been making snide remarks all night. I could go over there and teach him a thing or two about how to talk to women! Someone could teach that guy a thing or two about how treat employees, because acting like a dictator is not it. You don't even have a planner? Yikes, I could teach you a thing or two about being organized.

See also: could, someone, teach, thing, two

could tell (someone) a thing or two (about someone or something)

1. Could inform someone of the facts or several pieces of information (about someone or something). I know you're from the countryside and not used to city folk, but I could tell you a thing or two about New Yorkers. If you want to learn about the history of cinema, then you should ask Jeff—he could tell you a thing or two. Teenagers always think they know everything, when, in reality, their parents could still tell them a thing or two about life in the real world.

2. Could correct or confront someone about his, her, or their mistaken belief or incorrect point of view (about someone or something). That jerk has been making snide remarks all night. I could go over there and tell him a thing or two about how to talk to women! Someone could tell that guy a thing or two about how treat employees, because acting like a dictator is not it. You don't even have a planner? Yikes, I could tell you a thing or two about being organized.

See also: could, someone, tell, thing, two

tell (someone) a thing or two (about someone or something)

1. To inform someone of the facts or several pieces of information (about someone or something). I know you're from the countryside and not used to city folk, so let me tell you a thing or two about New Yorkers. If you want to learn about the history of cinema, then you should ask Jeff—he'd be more than happy to tell you a thing or two.

2. To correct or confront someone about his, her, or their mistaken belief or incorrect point of view (about someone or something). The professor is teaching us some really antiquated material about quantum physics. I think I'll go tell him a thing or two about it after class. That jerk has been making snide remarks about the women in our group all night. I'm going to go over there and tell him a thing or two!

See also: someone, tell, thing, two

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

can/could teach/tell somebody a ˈthing or two (about somebody/something)

(informal) be able to help somebody, or teach somebody how to do something, because you have more experience: He thinks he knows a lot about farming, but old Bert could teach him a thing or two.

See also: can, could, somebody, teach, tell, thing, two

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