school him

USAGE SUMMARY

'school him' is a correct and usable expression in written English.
This expression is typically used as an imperative command, usually to an authority figure, to reprimand or discipline someone, especially a child. Example: "If he doesn't stop acting up in class, you'd better school him!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

AP's going to school him on Thursday.

The Guardian - Sport

We'll probably school him somewhere before we go, at a racetrack probably.

The Guardian - Sport

Did he have to attend some class to school him in his responsibilities?

The Guardian - Books

Total strangers are eager to assist Oppen, to school him, to diagnose and then cure what they surmise are his ills — but always to a fault.

The New York Times - Books

When there is a routine – the kids going to school, him going to work – you might just about keep some control.

The Guardian

But his true purpose was to meet a "Serbian warlord" who, he said, was going to school him in the methods of "militant nationalism".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

The players and their school offered him perfunctory thanks.

The New Yorker

"We can't home-school him.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Toryboy wants to home-school him.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"You want to what him?" "Home-school him.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Her son didn't get into preschool and now she wants to home-school him.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "school him" to mean 'teach him a lesson', ensure the context makes it clear that you're referring to a form of correction or reprimand, not necessarily formal education.

Common error

Avoid using "school him" in contexts where a neutral or positive sense of 'educating' or 'informing' is intended. This phrase often carries a connotation of correction or even mild aggression, so ensure it aligns with your intended tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "school him" functions primarily as a verb phrase where "school" acts as a verb meaning to teach or correct, and "him" is the direct object. As Ludwig AI points out, it's often used as an imperative.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "school him" is a common and generally correct way to say someone should be taught a lesson, usually through correction or experience. As Ludwig AI confirms, it carries an informal tone and is more appropriate for casual conversation or less formal writing. While grammatically sound, "school him" should be used cautiously in formal settings, opting for more neutral alternatives like "teach him" or "instruct him". When used, the phrase strongly implies a need for correction or reprimand, so it's crucial to consider the context and audience. The most authoritative sources include the “The Guardian”, “The New York Times”, and the “Los Angeles Times”.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

teach him a lesson

This implies punishing or correcting someone for a mistake or misbehavior.

discipline him

This implies enforcing rules and punishing misbehavior.

instruct him

This conveys giving specific directions or training.

train him

This suggests providing practical skills or knowledge for a specific purpose.

educate him

This suggests providing formal instruction or knowledge.

mentor him

This conveys providing long-term guidance and support for personal and professional development.

correct him

This conveys pointing out and rectifying errors or mistakes.

tutor him

This implies providing individualized academic assistance.

guide him

This suggests offering advice and support.

enlighten him

This implies imparting knowledge or understanding to someone, often regarding a specific subject or situation.

FAQs

What does "school him" mean?

The phrase "school him" can mean to educate or instruct someone, but more often it implies teaching someone a lesson, usually by correcting them or defeating them in some way.

What's a less confrontational way to say "school him"?

If you want to avoid the confrontational tone, you could use alternatives like "teach him", "educate him", or "instruct him", depending on the specific context.

Is "school him" appropriate for formal writing?

No, "school him" is generally considered informal and is better suited for casual conversations or less formal writing. In formal contexts, use more neutral terms such as "educate", "train", or "instruct".

How can I use "school him" in a sentence?

You can use "school him" in a sentence like, "If he keeps acting up, someone needs to school him on proper behavior." Remember that it implies teaching a lesson through correction or reprimand.