special pleading

noun

Law. pleading that alleges special or new matter in avoidance of the allegations made by the opposite side.
pleading or arguing that ignores unfavorable features of a case.

special pleading

a pleading that alleges new facts that offset those put forward by the other side rather than directly admitting or denying those facts
a pleading that emphasizes the favourable aspects of a case while omitting the unfavourable

First recorded in 1675–85

But after Pearl Harbor there was no longer a case for special pleading.

Indeed, the data cited by Walters himself undermine his special pleading.

Anyone who dares object to one of these indictments is obliged to do so in terms of their own special pleading.

That sort of special pleading is unlikely to win friends and influence people on Capitol Hill.

As crystal clear as that proposition is in America and Israel, it is decried and damned as special pleading the world over.

I'm human, and I dare say I did do a bit of special pleading.

The year 1852 was memorable for the Act which altered the old system of special pleading.

There is here some confusion of thought and some obvious, but possibly unconscious, special pleading.

A commission has been issued, preparatory to a reform of the system of special pleading.

The fact has priority over the dogmas, and is altogether too strong to need the patronizing special-pleading they suggest.

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