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]
-
According to a fixed rule or practice. For example, The police were locking up the demonstrators on principle . [First half of 1800s]
-
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.
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
Warsh didn’t spend years positioning himself for this job to torch it on principle.
From MarketWatch • Jan. 30, 2026
The prime minster had indicated last week he would accept Trump's invite on principle.
From BBC • Jan. 22, 2026
Mr. McConnell has been a consistent, thoughtful supporter of presidential powers, and he continued to stand on principle on Thursday.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 9, 2026
He scrunched his nose on principle as he descended the last set of stairs and headed down the hall that opened up to it.
From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray
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.
