woe to

put in mind

To encourage or inspire someone to follow a certain course of action.

woe betide

Used to warn someone that trouble will occur if that person does somet…

cautionary tale

A story, originally told in folklore, to warn its audience of a certai…

sow the seeds of

To carry out a certain action which will eventually bring about a part…

carry someone's water

To do someone's bidding; to serve someone's interests.

call someone's bluff

To take action on the basis that another person is bluffing.