sacred cow
Immune from questioning
A sacred cow is something treated as immune from criticism or questioning.
The phrase comes from the Hindu reverence for cattle, applied figuratively to policies, institutions, or beliefs that people refuse to challenge: Social Security is a sacred cow in American politics.
The term often carries slight disapproval, implying the protection is unwarranted.
Exempt from criticism or harm
- off-limitsProhibited from access
- immuneProtected from harm
- protectedKept from harm
- exemptNot subject to
unquestionable · inviolable · nonnegotiable · indisputable · unassailable · third rail · pet project · entitlement
untouchable
Exempt from criticism or harm
- off-limitsProhibited from access
- immuneProtected from harm
- protectedKept from harm
exempt · unquestionable · inviolable · nonnegotiable · indisputable · unassailable · third rail · pet project · entitlement · tenure
Hinduism
Ancient Indian spiritual tradition
- reverenceProfound admiring respect
- ahimsaHindu principle of harmlessness
- KrishnaEighth avatar of Vishnu
zebu · wandering · veneration · deity · temple · dharma · worship · blessing
challenge
Test of ability
question · debunk · critique · dismantle · confront · reassess · overturn · iconoclasm · heresy · dissent
- animal worshipcat worship, Anubis, Bastet, Ganesh, Garuda
- IndiaDelhi, Ganges, Mumbai, Taj Mahal, Punjab
- Animal Idiomsblind as a bat, brave as a lion, busy bee, copycat, dark horse
- farm idiomsmake hay while the sun shines, cream of the crop, put the cart before the horse, till the cows come home, buy the farm
- animal folkloreanimal myths, animal fables, animal spirits, animal totems, animal symbolism
- Indian traditionspuja, namaste, mehndi, bindi, aarti
sacred cowfair game
Legitimate object of pursuit
punching bag · whipping boy · open season · easy target · soft target
sacred cowscapegoat
Unfairly blamed person
sacrificial lamb · whipping boy · expendable · pariah · persona non grata
cow, sacred, sacrifice, sacrament, consecrate, desecrate, sacrosanct, sacredness, consecration