[Brian Kopp DPM]

Its particularly common among British journalists in economic discussions. I've used the phrase so long, I never bothered to look up its usage history:

Idiom: Abject lesson

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Idiom Definitions for 'Abject lesson'

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An abject lesson serves as a warning to others. (In some varieties of English 'object lesson' is used.)

Indian English | Category: General

View examples in Google: Abject lesson

[Quix]

Now now.

Once the Nurse Rachett squad of posting nannies have spoked, there is to be NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, BY EDICT.

THE CASE IS CLOSED AND REALITY HAS BEEN DEFINED.

Carry on.

.

[Judith Anne]

Yes, as I noted above, I stand corrected, I have never heard that usage before. Actually, it sounded humorous in a Freudian slip sort of way, to me. Thanks for the lesson.

I did look up your Wiki reference and read further, and that was interesting too.