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.
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
However you look at it, if the people responsible for greenlighting “Michael” were at all concerned about the audience rejecting the movie on principle, any kind of principle, it would not have been made.
From Salon • May 14, 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
In a forceful response, Treanor stood on principle, asserting that the school had a First Amendment right to teach and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion as a Catholic value.
From Slate • Mar. 11, 2026
Even if you weren’t in the mood, you did it on principle.
From "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien
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.
