more honored in the breach
Justifiably violated; endowing greater moral standing to those who disobeyJustifiably violated; endowing greater moral standing to those who disobey. (of a rule, custom, etc.)
Meaning
2 sensesJustifiably violated; endowing greater moral standing to those who disobey. (of a rule, custom, etc.)
Frequently or usually broken in practice, with obedience being the exception. (of a rule, custom, etc.)
Origin
Coined by William Shakespeare in 1602 in "Hamlet," act 1, scene 4:Coined by William Shakespeare in 1602 in "Hamlet," act 1, scene 4:
Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Word family
1 related wordsRelatedin spirit