take the law into one's own hands
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Meaning · English
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
Where it’s used:
Used
Widespread English
Sources & notes
Listed in Wiktionary’s “English idioms” category (retrieved 2026-07-29); definition pending editorial review.
Equivalents & related
Common questions
What does “take the law into one's own hands” mean?
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
Is “take the law into one's own hands” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.
What is the closest equivalent?
“thay trời hành đạo” (Tiếng Việt) — near equivalent.