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exception that proves the rule
exceptions that prove the rule
exception that proves the rule
01
rare or unusual cases that confirm the validity or effectiveness of a commonly accepted general principle or practice
Idiom
What is the origin of the idiom "exception that proves the rule" and when to use it?
The idiom "exception that proves the rule" has its origin in legal terminology. In legal contexts, the word "prove" meant to test or examine, and a legal rule was considered to be established by its exceptions. The phrase evolved over time to represent a situation where a specific exception or unusual case reinforces the existence of a broader general rule.
Examples
The fact that we rarely have traffic jams on this road is the exception that proves the rule of efficient traffic management.
