could tell (someone) a thing or two (about someone or something)

could tell (someone) a thing or two (about someone or something)

1. Could inform someone of the facts or several pieces of information (about someone or something). I know you're from the countryside and not used to city folk, but I could tell you a thing or two about New Yorkers. If you want to learn about the history of cinema, then you should ask Jeff—he could tell you a thing or two.2. Could correct or confront someone about his, her, or their mistaken belief or incorrect point of view (about someone or something). That jerk has been making snide remarks all night. I could go over there and tell him a thing or two about how to talk to women!See also: could, someone, tell, thing, two

could tell someone a thing or two

or

could teach someone a thing or two

If you could tell someone a thing or two about something or could teach someone a thing or two about it, you know much more about it than they do. Perhaps they'd like to meet my sons, now aged 14 and 17. They could tell them a thing or two about drama. They could teach us a thing or two about family values. Note: A thing or two is often used after other verbs to mean a lot of things. Patricia Hewitt knows a thing or two about how to be well-organised. The peace movement has learnt a thing or two from Vietnam.See also: could, someone, tell, thing, two

can/could teach/tell somebody a ˈthing or two (about somebody/something)

(informal) be able to help somebody, or teach somebody how to do something, because you have more experience: He thinks he knows a lot about farming, but old Bert could teach him a thing or two.See also: can, could, somebody, teach, tell, thing, two