told you so

Warning proved right

Told you so is an expression of self-satisfaction when events confirm a warning or prediction the speaker made earlier.

It emphasizes that the speaker was right and the listener should have heeded their advice: I told you so—you should have brought an umbrella.

The phrase often carries a smug or gloating tone, which is why saying I told you so is sometimes considered poor form even when justified.

Related

knew · right · last laugh · gloating · rubbing it in · hindsight · ignored · stubborn · lesson · regret · egg on face · foresight · arrogant · nagged · deaf ears · cautioned · broken record · obvious

Categories
Opposites
epistemic humility vs vindication

told you soI was wrong

Acknowledging prior error

my mistake · I stand corrected · you were right · my bad · mea culpa

blame vs acceptance

told you soit's okay

Expression of reassurance

don't worry about it · water under the bridge · let it go · forgive and forget · I understand

certainty vs uncertainty

told you sowho knew

Expression of mild surprise

Family

told, you, tells, tellers, retells, foretells, your, yours, yourself

Familiarity
Top 20,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Everyday, not technical · Rated G