above the law

Immune from consequences

Above the law describes someone who acts as if legal rules don't apply to them, or a situation where they actually don't.

The phrase implies either arrogance or genuine immunity: No one is above the law, He thinks his money puts him above the law.

It often appears in criticism of the powerful—politicians, corporations, police—who evade consequences ordinary people would face.

Related

white collar crime · exemption · justice · authoritarianism · fairness · oligarchy · hypocrisy · entitlement · double standard · unequal treatment · despotism · accountability · prosecution · untouchable · equity · indictment · plutocracy · too big to fail

Categories
Opposites
legal accountability

above the lawaccountable

Obligated to explain oneself

within the law · law-abiding · prosecutable · held accountable · indictable

moral/ethical standing

above the lawprincipled

Having strong moral beliefs

ethical · law-abiding · humble · rule-following · conscientious

Family

above, laws, lawful, lawfully, unlawful, lawless, lawyer, lawyers, lawyerly

Familiarity
Top 50,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated PG