on principle

Idioms  

1. 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]

2. According to a fixed rule or practice. For example, The police were locking up the demonstrators on principle . [First half of 1800s]

3. on general principle . For no special reason, in general, as in Dean won't touch broccoli on general principle . [First half of 1800s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

on principle

Some Italians joke the country boycotted the tournaments in Russia, Qatar and the U.S. on principle.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 4, 2026

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

That agreement is highly sought after by developing countries, but India has so far balked, on principle, to plurilateral agreements within the WTO.

From Barron's ● Mar. 26, 2026

The prime minster had indicated last week he would accept Trump's invite on principle.

From BBC ● Jan. 22, 2026

Two grumpy old men from the Department of the Unexplained tell us absolutely nothing at all about what they do, on principle.

From "Amari and the Night Brothers" by B.B. Alston

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