C2idiompoliticsIELTS-friendly
a sacred cow
USUK
a belief or institution that people refuse to criticise or change
Usually critical: the speaker thinks the thing should be questioned. Often plural: 'sacred cows'.
In context
Free university is a sacred cow that no party dares to question.
The new director is ready to challenge a few sacred cows in the company.
More idioms about politics
- a double standarda rule applied more strictly to one group than to another
- a grey areaa situation where the rules are unclear, so nobody is sure what is allowed
- a hidden agendaa secret reason or plan behind what someone says or does
- a hot potatoa difficult issue that people disagree about and nobody wants to deal with
- a lame ducka politician or government with little real power, often near the end of a term in office