Woe betide Meaning in English
expression
WOH bi-TYD
WOH bi-TYD
Definition
A formal or old-fashioned warning that something bad will happen to someone, often if they do something wrong or forbidden.
Usage & Nuances
Very formal and somewhat old-fashioned; usually used humorously or for dramatic effect nowadays. Often spoken as 'Woe betide (someone)' to warn or threaten. Not common in casual speech.
Spanish: ¡ay de - pobre dePortuguese (BR): ai daquele - coitado dePortuguese (PT): ai daquele - coitado deChinese (Simplified): 有苦头吃 - 倒霉了Chinese (Traditional): 有苦頭喫 - 倒楣了Hindi: अपनी खैर मनाओ - मुसिबत आनी हैArabic: ويلٌ لِـ - سيصيبُهُ سوءBengali: দুর্ভাগ্য গ্রাস করবে - সাবধান হওRussian: горе тому - берегисьJapanese: 災いあれ - 身の破滅が待っているVietnamese: hãy coi chừng - khốn thayKorean: 큰일 날 것이다 - 화를 입을 것이다Turkish: vay haline - kötü olurUrdu: افسوس اُس پر - اُس کی خیر نہیںIndonesian: celaka - awas
Example Sentences
Woe betide anyone who forgets her birthday.
basic
Woe betide the student who is late for class.
basic
Woe betide those who break the rules.
basic
If you touch Dad's tools, woe betide you!
natural
Woe betide me if my boss finds out I left early yesterday.
natural
The teacher said, 'Woe betide anyone who cheats in the exam.'
natural