Synonyms and antonyms of Ways of warning or advising someone in British Thesaurus

(you) do the math (American)

American used for telling someone that a plan or idea cannot work because it is impossible, too expensive, etc.

(you) do the maths (British)

British used for telling someone that a plan or idea cannot work because it is impossible, too expensive, etc.

beware (verb)

used to warn someone of danger or difficulty

watch it ()

used for telling someone to be careful

mind (out) ()

used for telling someone to be careful, especially when something dangerous is about to happen

look before you leap ()

used for advising someone to think carefully before doing something

too many cooks (spoil the broth) ()

used for saying that something may be done badly if too many people try to do it together

it’s a good idea to do something ()

used for giving someone advice about what they should do

you can’t be too careful ()

used for saying that it is important not to take risks

don’t you dare ()

used for telling someone not to do something, when you are warning them that you will be very angry if they do it

be careful what you wish for (it might just happen) ()

used for telling someone to think carefully about the changes that they would like in their life, as they might not make them any happier

before (adverb)

spoken used for warning someone that something bad may happen unless they do something

believe (you) me ()

used for emphasizing that what you are saying is true, especially when you are warning someone about something

better safe than sorry ()

used for saying that you should behave carefully, even if this seems difficult or unnecessary, so that you will not have problems later

curiosity killed the cat ()

used for warning someone that something dangerous or harmful could happen to them because they are too interested in things that do not concern them

discretion is the better part of valour (formal)

formal used for saying that it is better not to take too many risks

don’t count your chickens (before they’re hatched) ()

used for telling someone not to make plans that depend on the success of something until they are certain that it is successful

don’t hold your breath ()

used for telling someone not to expect something to happen because it probably will not

don’t try this at home ()

used for warning someone not to try to do something that you are showing them. This phrase is often used by television presenters.

don’t (you) forget it ()

used for telling someone very firmly how they should behave, especially when they have said or done something that you do not approve of

easy does it ()

used for telling someone to do something carefully or gently, especially when they are moving something large

end in tears ()

if a situation ends in tears, people involved in it become disappointed or angry

famous last words ()

used after someone has said something positive for showing that you think something bad might easily happen

gangway (interjection)

used to warn a crowd of people to move apart and form a passage because someone or something is coming through

give someone an inch (and they’ll take a mile/yard) ()

used for saying that if you agree to give someone something that they want, they will then want to take more

go easy on/with something ()

used for telling someone not to use, eat, or drink too much of something

have a care ()

used for telling someone to be careful, especially so that they do not upset someone

heads will roll ()

used for saying that people will be severely punished for something, often by losing their jobs

heaven help us/them/the person who etc ()

used for saying that if something happens, the result will be very bad for the person mentioned

if I were you ()

used when giving someone advice

if someone isn’t careful ()

used for warning or threatening someone

if you know what’s good for you ()

used for warning someone that they should do something if they do not want something bad to happen to them

it’ll (all) end in tears ()

used for warning someone that what they are doing will have a very bad or unhappy result

it’s/that’s your lookout ()

used for saying that you think that someone’s decision or action is wrong but that it is their responsibility and not yours

keep a civil tongue in your head ()

used for telling someone not to be rude

look out ()

used for warning someone to be careful, especially because they are likely to have an accident

look what you’re doing/where you’re going ()

used for telling someone to be more careful

make my day ()

used for warning someone that if they do something, you will enjoy stopping, defeating, or punishing them

mark my words ()

used for telling someone to listen carefully to what you are saying, especially because you will be proved right in the future

may/can I remind you... ()

used for warning someone or bringing something to their attention, especially something that they already know

on your (own) head be it ()

used for warning someone that if they do something, they will have to take responsibility for it and suffer the results of it

or else ()

used for saying that there will be a bad result if someone does not do something or if something does not happen

someone will not thank you (for something) ()

used for saying that someone will not be pleased if you do something

steady (interjection)

informal used for warning someone, or for telling them to be careful

step outside ()

used for suggesting that people should go somewhere to have a fight using their fists

that will teach you (to do something) ()

used for telling someone that they should have been more careful or should have paid attention to your advice

there’ll be blood on the carpet ()

used for saying that someone will be very angry when they find out about something

there’ll be hell to pay ()

used for saying that someone will be in a lot of trouble

timber (interjection)

a warning shouted to tell people that a tree that you have cut is going to fall

walls have ears ()

used for warning someone not to talk about something because other people may be listening

watch/mind your step (informal)

informal used for saying that someone must be careful about what they are saying, or how they behave

watch what you’re doing ()

used for telling someone to be more careful because they nearly caused an accident

watch yourself (spoken)

spoken used for telling someone to be careful so that they do not get hurt

we’ll have to see about that (spoken)

spoken used for saying that you are not going to let someone do something that they are intending to do

whatever you do ()

used for emphasis when you are warning someone that is very important to do or not to do something

what goes around comes around ()

used for saying that the way that you behave towards other people will influence the way that other people behave towards you in the future

woe betide someone ()

used for warning someone that they will be in trouble if they do a particular thing

would do well to do something ()

used for advising that someone should do something

you’ll catch your death (of cold) ()

used for warning someone that if they go outside when it is cold or wet they will become ill

you’ll see ()

used for telling someone that they will find out that you are right about something

you want/don’t want to do something ()

used for advising or warning someone that they should/should not do something