cardinal sin
Britishnoun
-
theol any of the seven deadly sins
-
informal an unforgivable error or misjudgment
lack of impartiality is considered a cardinal sin in broadcasting circles
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.
The cardinal sin of “The Last Days” is that it doesn’t choose a storyline.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 20, 2026
Before Robby and Al-Hashimi engage in any real ideological tussles, though, she commits the cardinal sin of suggesting they change the trauma center’s nickname to something else.
From Salon • Jan. 8, 2026
And viewpoint-based discrimination is a cardinal sin under the First Amendment.
From Slate • Oct. 7, 2025
Attributing consciousness to animals based on their responses was seen as a cardinal sin.
From BBC • Jun. 15, 2024
The cardinal sin, the one thing you were never, ever to do, was lose your keys.
From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover
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.
