sacred cow

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See synonyms for sacred cow on Thesaurus.com

noun

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

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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

sacrectomy, 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. 2022

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
In fact, one the most sacred holiday for Muslims is the sacrifice of Abraham, known as Eid al-Adha.
Why Muslims Love Jesus Too|Dean Obeidallah|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST

There is no middle ground in submitting our sacred rights to the whims of foreign tyrants.
The Sony Hack and America’s Craven Capitulation To Terror|David Keyes|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It is a cash cow, handed billions by TV networks and rewarding its sponsors with huge ratings and ever growing revenues.
The $44 Million Teflon Don of the NFL|Mike Barnicle|November 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
One thing I do to respect the people who want to keep hip hop ‘sacred’ is refer to myself as rap-cabaret.
From Church of Christ to Pansexual Rapper|Tyler Gillespie|November 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Reservation is sovereign Indian land, and the grizzly is a sacred animal to these tribes.
What It Takes to Kill a Grizzly Bear|Doug Peacock|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The supernaturalist alleges that religion was revealed to man by God, and that the form of this revelation is a sacred book.
God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford
I had it put in order whilst you were in London; it was a shame to let a sacred place remain in such a state.
Elster's Folly|Mrs. Henry Wood
He had five girls by his first wife; there is no reason why this splendid cow I have picked out should not produce a dozen boys.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton
There are no chains to my prison, no steel cuffs to gall the limbs, no guards to threaten and cow me.
The Soldier of the Valley|Nelson Lloyd
Here the pair reached the "Dun Cow" and retired to their respective quarters.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills

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