sea lawyer
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of sea lawyer
First recorded in 1805–15
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
I too spent a number of timeouts with our oldest child engaged in conversation with a delightfully tenacious little sea lawyer.
From Slate ● Jun. 29, 2018
Isbrandtsen is a sea lawyer who goes on the assumption that it is possible to do anything which is not expressly prohibited by law.
From Time Magazine Archive
"My kid," Hambro said, "filibustering against going to bed. A real sea lawyer, that kid."
From "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison
"Damme, but he's a regular sea lawyer already: however, my boy, we'll soon put your mettle to the proof."
From Mr. Midshipman Easy by Marryat, Frederick
You are a sea lawyer, are you?” exclaimed Lord Reginald, angrily, Dick’s words adding intensity to the vindictive feelings he already entertained towards him.
From The Rival Crusoes by Kingston, William Henry Giles
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
