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.
Nor are they on principle opposed to immigrants.
Touma-Suleiman opposes the death penalty on principle and argues the bill also goes against international law and past treaties signed by Israel.
From BBC
Warsh didn’t spend years positioning himself for this job to torch it on principle.
From MarketWatch
While rejecting discriminatory pricing on principle, they are also worried for practical reasons, as staff will now need to check visitors' identity papers.
From Barron's
Mr. McConnell has been a consistent, thoughtful supporter of presidential powers, and he continued to stand on principle on Thursday.
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.
