sacred cow

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noun

an individual, organization, institution, etc., considered to be exempt from criticism or questioning.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of sacred cow

First recorded in 1905–10; in reference to the traditional inviolability of the cow among Hindus

Words nearby sacred cow

sacrarium, sacred, sacred baboon, sacred bamboo, Sacred College, sacred cow, Sacred Heart, sacred ibis, sacred lotus, sacred monster, sacred mushroom

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use sacred cow in a sentence

If reinventing an iconic magazine means taking aim at music’s sacred cows and finding ways to shout from the rooftops, both Noah Shachtman and Gus Wenner seem ready to do just that.
‘More immediate, more visceral’ and a lot tougher on Eric Clapton: A plan for reviving Rolling Stone|Margaret Sullivan|October 17, 2021|Washington Post
They were very, very dubious to me and very protective of their sacred cows, so it was a real rude awakening.
Musical adventurer Rufus Wainwright returns to touring, plays D.C. Sept. 28|Joey DiGuglielmo|September 16, 2021|Washington Blade
City Councilman Sean Elo-Rivera wants to tip the sacred cow that is the People’s Ordinance.
Morning Report: The Measure C Loophole|Voice of San Diego|April 23, 2021|Voice of San Diego
“She took the sacred cow and made a hybrid woman cow which is called Holy Daughter,” Adicéam said.
Pharrell’s ‘GIRLS’ Exhibit Stars...Pharrell?|Liza Foreman|May 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Additionally, there is no upside in our media culture to challenging this sacred cow.
Abortion Rights Community Has Become the NRA of the Left|Kirsten Powers|May 6, 2013|DAILY BEAST
"A sacred cow since the late '80s, now it's run its course," Reed said.
Ethanol Subsidies: Congress Sacrifices a Sacred Cow|Eleanor Clift|June 17, 2011|DAILY BEAST
We had to stop before every tree, every pagoda, every sacred tank and bush, and at last before a sacred cow.
From the Caves and Jungles of Hindostan|Helena Pretrovna Blavatsky
And how in the name of the sacred cow did the deed get in the seat of this one?
The Winning Touchdown|Lester Chadwick
That magneto-ionic thing the Sacred Cow's been talking about—they invented that real quick to cover up.
Where I Wasn't Going|Walt Richmond
Sometimes I fancied myself buried in one of the pyramids of Egypt, breaking my shins against the bones of a sacred cow.
Lectures on Art|Washington Allston
To them the Symphony is a sacred cow and they regarded the older members in the light of special pets.
The World's Great Men of Music|Harriette Brower

British Dictionary definitions for sacred cow

sacred cow

noun

informal a person, institution, custom, etc, unreasonably held to be beyond criticism

Word Origin for sacred cow

alluding to the Hindu belief that cattle are sacred

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for sacred cow

sacred cow

Figuratively, anything that is beyond criticism: “That housing project is a real sacred cow: the city council won't hear of abandoning it.” In India, followers of Hinduism consider cows sacred and do not eat them because they believe the animals contain the souls of dead persons.

Other Idioms and Phrases with sacred cow

sacred cow

A person or thing immune to criticism or questioning, as in The rules governing the press conference have become a sacred cow in this administration. This term alludes to the honored status of cows in Hinduism, where they are a symbol of God's generosity to humankind. It has been used figuratively since about 1900.

sacred cow

Origin of sacred cow

Words nearby sacred cow

Words related to sacred cow

How to use sacred cow in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for sacred cow

Word Origin for sacred cow

Cultural definitions for sacred cow

Other Idioms and Phrases with sacred cow