make an example of

make an example of (third-person singular simple present makes an example of, present participle making an example of, simple past and past participle made an example of)

1. (transitive, idiomatic) To punish someone so as to give a warning to others.

   He made an example of the drunken sailor with twenty lashes, to show that he must have a sober crew.

• pour encourager les autres