the law is an ass
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Also seen as: the law is a ass
Meaning · English
The law, as created by legislators or as administered by the justice system, cannot be relied upon to be sensible or fair.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
Ere he shall lose an eye for such a trifle... For doing deeds of nature! I'm ashamed. The law is such an ass.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “the law is an ass” mean?
The law, as created by legislators or as administered by the justice system, cannot be relied upon to be sensible or fair.
Is “the law is an ass” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.