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.
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!
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!"
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 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.