two wrongs don't make a right
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
A wrongful action is not a morally appropriate way to correct or cancel a previous wrongful action.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
But when it comes to taking what belongs to another—well, a thief is a thief. . . . After all, two wrongs don't make a right, do they?
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 “two wrongs don't make a right” mean?
A wrongful action is not a morally appropriate way to correct or cancel a previous wrongful action.
Is “two wrongs don't make a right” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.