1. Misfortune or unpleasant consequences await or will happen to one (if something happens). The legislation is becoming increasingly complex, and with enforcement tightening all the time, woe to anyone who fails to familiarize themselves with every letter of the law. All I can do is offer my advice as to the best and safest course of action—woe to you if you decide to ignore it.

2. One deserves great punishment or misfortune. Woe to you, Mr. Smith, for destroying the lives of so many employees and dragging the reputation of a once-mighty company through the mud.