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UKtake the law into one's (own) hands
/tˈeɪk ðə lˈɔː ˌɪntʊ wˈɒnz ˈəʊn ɔː hˈandz/
/tˈeɪk ðə lˈɔː ˌɪntʊ wˈʌnz ˈoʊn ɔːɹ hˈændz/to take the law into one's (own) hands
[PHRASE]1
to illegally punish someone in a way that one personally thinks is right or just, often by the use of violence
![to [take] the law into {one's} (own|) hands definition and meaning](https://cdn.langeek.co/photo/43450/original/ "to [take] the law into {one's} (own|) hands definition and meaning")
What is the origin of the idiom "take the law into one's hands" and when to use it?
The idiom "take the law into one's hands" has its origins in English common law and legal principles. It refers to the act of individuals or groups assuming the role of law enforcement or justice system without proper authority or due process. It is commonly employed in discussions surrounding issues of perceived injustice, lack of trust in the legal system, or situations where individuals feel compelled to seek their own form of retribution.
Examples
1. One day, after years of violent abuse from her husband, she took the law into her own hands.
2. We would want to encourage people not to take the law into their own hands and to go through the proper process of alerting police and not try to set anything up that could be potentially dangerous.
3. And it fundamentally questions the core superhero assumption that people who can take the law into their own hands should.
4. Unfortunately, they've unwittingly walked into a world of trouble, as a group of angry locals have decided that they're going to take the law into their own hands and extend the typical 12-hour Purge curfew beyond its time limit.
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