take the law into one's own hands

idiom

: to try to punish someone for breaking a law even though one does not have the right to do that

Dictionary Entries Near take the law into one's own hands

take the helm

take the law into one's own hands

take the lead

Cite this Entry

“Take the law into one's own hands.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20the%20law%20into%20one%27s%20own%20hands. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!