Legal Idioms Flashcards
1
Q
get a slap on the wrist
A
- to get light punishment for a crime or wrongdoing
2
Q
get a tongue-lashing
A
- to get a severe verbal scolding for doing something wrong
3
Q
get one’s knuckles rapped
A
- to receive punishment for something
4
Q
get the benefit of the doubt
A
- to receive a judgement in your favor when the evidence is neither for you nor against you
5
Q
hang in the balance
A
- to be in an undecided state
6
Q
in contempt of court
A
- in disobedience of the orders and authority of the court, in disrespect of the court process
The man refused to answer the questions of the judge and was found to be in contempt of court.
7
Q
in defiance of (someone or something)
A
- in resistence to someone or someone’s orders
8
Q
judge (someone) on his or her own merit
A
- to judge or evaluate someone on his or her own achievements and virtues
9
Q
a kangaroo court
A
- a court formed by a group of people to settle a dispute among themselves (the court is usually illegal)
10
Q
laugh (someone or something) out of court
A
- to dismiss someone or something as ridiculous
11
Q
not hold water
A
- to make no sense, to be illogical
12
Q
an open-and-shut case
A
- a legal matter that is simple and uncomplicated
13
Q
pick holes in an argument
A
- to find all the weak points or flaws in an argument
14
Q
poetic justice
A
- the appropriate but chance reward or punishment by someone who deserves it
15
Q
send (someone) up the river
A
- to send someone to prison
