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beware the ides of March

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beware the ides of March

A phrase used to foreshadow something bad. "Ides" refers to the 15th day of the month. In the Shakespeare play Julius Caesar, a prophet tells Caesar to "beware the ides of March"—and Caesar is subsequently killed on that day. You have History next period? Well, beware the ides of March—Mr. Smith is in a bad mood today and gave us extra homework.

See also: beware, march, of