043. The Letter of The Law

to bend the rules

phrase

/bˈɛnd stɹˈɛtʃ ðə ɹˈuːlz/

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Idiom

Informal

to do something that is not strictly according to rules, often by making exceptions

What is the origin of the idiom "bend the rules" and when to use it?

The origin of the idiom "bend the rules" can be traced back to ancient times when societies had established codes of conduct and legal systems. This phrase likely draws upon the physical action of bending something that is typically rigid or inflexible and conveys the idea of adjusting or manipulating rules to suit a particular situation or purpose. It is frequently used in discussions related to governance, sports, business, education, and any other areas where rules and regulations are in place, but some degree of flexibility or leniency is exercised to achieve specific goals or outcomes.

to contravene

Verb

c

k

o

ɑ

n

t

r

a

ə

v

e

i

n

e

to violate an established legal standard, policy, or procedural protocol

contravention

noun

c

k

o

ɑ

n

t

r

a

ə

v

e

ɛ

n

t

ʧ

io

ə

n

refusal to conform with a law or rule

to infringe

Verb

i

ɪ

n

f

r

i

ɪ

n

g

ʤ

e

to violate someone's rights or property

Grammatical Information:

transitive

infringement

noun

i

ɪ

n

f

r

i

ɪ

n

g

ʤ

e

m

e

ə

n

t

an action that is against a law. regulation, or agreement

to impeach

Verb

i

ɪ

m

p

ea

i

ch

ʧ

to formally charge or accuse someone of a crime or misdemeanor

Grammatical Information:

transitive

impeachment

noun

i

ɪ

m

p

ea

i

ch

ʧ

m

e

ə

n

t

the process of a governmental figure bringing charges against a government official and marking the first step toward potential removal from office

to lodge

Verb

l

o

ɑ

dg

ʤ

e

to formally submit or file a charge, accusation, or complaint against someone

Grammatical Information:

transitive

appeal

noun

a

ə

pp

p

ea

i

l

a legal procedure in which a higher court is asked to review and overturn a lower court's decision

to uphold

Verb

u

ə

ph

o

oʊ

l

d

(particularly of a law court) to state that a previous decision is correct

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to overturn

Verb

/ˈoʊvɝˌtɝn/

to reverse, abolish, or invalidate something, especially a legal decision

Grammatical Information:

transitive

verdict

noun

v

e

ɜ

r

d

i

ɪ

c

k

t

an official decision made by the jury in a court after the legal proceedings

to pervert

Verb

p

e

ɜ

r

v

e

ɜ

r

t

to change something so it no longer serves its original purpose

justice

noun

j

ʤ

u

ə

s

t

i

ə

c

s

e

a behavior or treatment that is fair and just

injustice

to quash

Verb

q

k

u

w

a

ɔ

sh

ʃ

declare invalid

validate

conviction

noun

c

k

o

ə

n

v

i

ɪ

c

k

t

ʃ

io

ə

n

a formal declaration by which someone is found guilty of a crime in a court of law

acquittal

to set a precedent

phrase

/sˈɛt ɐ pɹˈɛsɪdənt/

Collocation

to create an example that others can follow in similar situations

to annul

Verb

a

æ

nn

n

u

ə

l

to officially cancel a marriage

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to annul

Verb

a

æ

nn

n

u

ə

l

to invalidate a legal agreement

validate

annulment

noun

a

æ

nn

n

u

ə

l

m

e

ə

n

t

a legal process of declaring a marriage or any type of official contract null and void as if it had never existed

to sue

Verb

s

ue

u

to bring a charge against an individual or organization in a law court

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to allege

Verb

a

ə

ll

l

e

ɛ

g

ʤ

e

to say something is the case without providing proof for it

Grammatical Information:

transitive

allegation

noun

a

æ

ll

l

e

ə

g

a

eɪ

t

ʃ

io

ə

n

an assertion of fact made by one party in a legal proceeding, which is not yet proved

to amend

Verb

a

ə

m

e

ɛ

n

d

to make changes or additions to a document, law, contract, or similar text in order to correct or update it

Grammatical Information:

transitive

amendment

noun

a

ə

m

e

ɛ

n

d

m

e

ə

n

t

a formal change, addition, or alteration made to a law, contract, constitution, or other legal document

discrimination

noun

d

i

ɪ

s

c

k

r

i

ɪ

m

i

ə

n

a

eɪ

t

ʃ

io

ə

n

the practice of treating a person or different categories of people less fairly than others

embezzlement

noun

e

ɛ

m

b

e

ɛ

zz

z

ə

l

e

m

e

ə

n

t

the act of stealing funds that are placed in one's trust and belong to one's employer

harassment

noun

h

a

ɜ

r

a

æ

ss

s

m

e

ə

n

t

the act of subjecting someone to repeated and unwanted attacks, criticism, or other forms of harmful behavior

insider trading

noun

/ɪnsˈaɪdɚ tɹˈeɪdɪŋ/

buying or selling corporate stock by a corporate officer or other insider on the basis of information that has not been made public and is supposed to remain confidential

money laundering

noun

/mˈʌni lˈɔːndɚɹɪŋ/

Disapproving

Formal

Idiom

the process of concealing the origins, ownership, or destination of illegally obtained money by passing it through a legitimate financial institution or businesses

What is the origin of the idiom "money laundering" and when to use it?

The idiom "money laundering" originated in the United States during the 1920s when criminals wanted to hide the money they earned from selling illegal alcohol. They called it "money laundering" because they tried to make the money look clean, just like washing dirty clothes. Since then, the term has been used to describe hiding the source of illegal money by making it seem like it came from legal activities.

Grammatical Information:

compound noun

perjury

noun

p

e

ɜ

r

j

ʤ

u

ɜ

r

y

i

the offense of telling lies in a court of law after you have vowed to tell the truth

stalking

noun

s

t

a

ɔ

l

k

i

ɪ

n

g

the persistent and unwanted attention, harassment, or surveillance of one person towards another, causing fear or distress

trespass

noun

t

r

e

ɛ

s

p

a

æ

ss

s

entry to another's property without right or permission

to discriminate

Verb

d

i

ɪ

s

c

k

r

i

ɪ

m

i

ə

n

a

eɪ

t

e

to unfairly treat a person or group of people based on their sex, race, etc.

Grammatical Information:

intransitive

to embezzle

Verb

e

ɪ

m

b

e

ɛ

zz

z

ə

l

e

to secretly steal money entrusted to one's care, typically by manipulating financial records, for personal use or gain

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to harass

Verb

h

a

ɜ

r

a

æ

ss

s

to subject someone to aggressive pressure or intimidation, often causing distress or discomfort

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to launder

Verb

l

au

ɔ

n

d

e

ɜ

r

to make some alterations in order to make something that has been obtained illegally, especially money and currency appear legal or acceptable

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to commit

Verb

c

k

o

ə

mm

m

i

ɪ

t

to do a particular thing that is unlawful or wrong

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to stalk

Verb

s

t

a

ɔ

l

k

to follow, watch, or pursue someone persistently and often secretly, causing them fear or discomfort

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to trespass

Verb

t

r

e

ɛ

s

p

a

æ

ss

s

to enter someone's land or building without permission

embezzler

noun

e

ɛ

m

b

e

ɛ

zz

z

l

e

ɜ

r

someone who violates a trust by taking (money) for his own use

perjurer

noun

p

e

ɜ

r

j

ʤ

u

ɜ

r

e

ɜ

r

a person who deliberately gives false testimony

stalker

noun

s

t

a

ɔ

l

k

e

ɜ

r

a person who persistently and obsessively follows, watches, or harasses someone else, often causing fear, distress, or a sense of danger

trespasser

noun

t

r

e

ɛ

s

p

a

ə

ss

s

e

ə

r

someone who intrudes on the privacy or property of another without permission

law-abiding

Adjective

/lˈɔːɐbˈaɪdɪŋ/

being obedient to the law

lawbreaker

noun

l

a

ɔ

w

b

r

ea

eɪ

k

e

ɜ

r

someone who violates the law

to take the law into one's (own) hands

phrase

/tˈeɪk ðə lˈɔː ˌɪntʊ wˈʌnz ˈoʊn ɔːɹ hˈændz/

Formal

Idiom

to illegally punish someone in a way that one personally thinks is right or just, often by the use of violence

What is the origin of the idiom "take the law into one's hands" and when to use it?

The idiom "take the law into one's hands" has its origins in English common law and legal principles. It refers to the act of individuals or groups assuming the role of law enforcement or justice system without proper authority or due process. It is commonly employed in discussions surrounding issues of perceived injustice, lack of trust in the legal system, or situations where individuals feel compelled to seek their own form of retribution.

to lay down the law

phrase

/lˈeɪ dˌaʊn ðə lˈɔː/

Idiom

to tell people what to do in a forceful and authoritative manner

What is the origin of the idiom "lay down the law" and when to use it?

The origin of the idiom "lay down the law" can be traced back to the legal system and the concept of judges or legal authorities establishing rules or pronouncing judgments. The phrase likely emerged from the idea that when a judge "lays down the law," they are asserting their authority to provide a definitive interpretation of the law and set the guidelines for behavior or resolution. It is often employed in situations where there is a need to maintain order, resolve conflicts, or ensure compliance.

a law unto oneself

phrase

/ɐ lˈɔː ˌʌntʊ wʌnsˈɛlf/

Idiom

Informal

someone who does not behave according to rules or expectations of society

What is the origin of the idiom "a law unto oneself" and when to use it?

The origin of the idiom "a law unto oneself" can be traced back to the concept of self-governance and personal autonomy. While it is difficult to pinpoint a specific origin, the phrase embodies a philosophical idea that individuals have the ability to establish their own rules and principles, separate from external laws or societal norms. This phrase is used when someone consistently does things their own way, based on what they think is right, without caring about what others say or any rules from outside.

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