oughta

hadn't oughta

slang Should not have. I hadn't oughta stayed out so late last night—I'm exhausted. Sarah is pissed off! You really hadn't oughta said that to her. You hadn't oughta lied to Mom and Dad. Like, you were already gonna get in trouble for coming home after curfew, but now you're in even more trouble because you lied about where you were.

See also: oughta

there oughta be a law

Something objectionable that has happened or that someone did should be against the law. ("Oughta" is an informal contraction of "ought to.") How can the flight be overbooked? I paid for a ticket, so I should have a seat on the plane. There oughta be a law! Behavior like that is just disgusting to me. There oughta be a law, I tell you!

See also: law, oughta, there

why I oughta

cliché Used to express anger or frustration with someone, as if one is considering inflicting violence upon them. "Oughta" is a colloquial contraction of "ought to." Typically used humorously. You ate the last chocolate bar! Why I oughta! A: "Whaddya mean you misplaced our money? Why I oughta…" B: "No, wait! I can get you your money, just don't hurt me!"

See also: oughta, why

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

hadn't oughta

Inf. should not have. You hadn't oughta teased me like that. I know I hadn't oughta stolen that candy.

See also: oughta

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.