on principle
Idioms-
On moral or ethical grounds. As James Russell Lowell wrote about Alexander Pope in 1871, “There was a time when I could not read Pope, but disliked him on principle.” [First half of 1800s]
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According to a fixed rule or practice. For example, The police were locking up the demonstrators on principle . [First half of 1800s]
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on general principle . For no special reason, in general, as in Dean won't touch broccoli on general principle . [First half of 1800s]
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.
Samuelson urged her colleagues to stand strong: “There are times when you need courage; stand on principle even if you stand alone.”
From Salon ● Jun. 6, 2026
When you’re an employee-journalist at the money-losing news division of a conglomerate in need of government approval for a major transaction, you can stand on principle and make a fuss, and that’s fine.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 5, 2026
Touma-Suleiman opposes the death penalty on principle and argues the bill also goes against international law and past treaties signed by Israel.
From BBC ● Jan. 31, 2026
While rejecting discriminatory pricing on principle, they are also worried for practical reasons, as staff will now need to check visitors' identity papers.
From Barron's ● Jan. 13, 2026
He characteristically decided to stand on principle in a major civil rights case.
From "Class Matters" by The New York Times
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.
