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justice
Jersey justice
A punishment or act of justice that is or appears to be much more severe than the offence warrants. Primarily heard in UK. Twenty years in jail for stealing a car? That sounds like Jersey justice to me.
activist justice
A court justice whose rulings are dictated more by personal leanings than the law. I can't believe that judge! What is he, an activist justice—handing out rulings based on his own bent?
in the interest of justice
In order to be just or fair. You broke the law and, in the interest of justice, I must punish you accordingly.
justice delayed is justice denied
Justice served at a later time has as little impact as justice not being served at all. A: "We need to get this matter before a judge quickly." B: "Of course. Justice delayed is justice denied."
social justice warrior
One who actively supports and promotes equality and fair treatment among different social classes. Once Betsy got to college, she became a real social justice warrior and decided to pursue a career in law as a way to bring about societal change.
bring someone to justice
Fig. to punish someone for a crime. The police officer swore she would not rest until she had brought the killer to justice. Years later, the rapist was found out and finally brought to justice.
do justice to something
1. . Fig. to do something well; to represent or portray something accurately. Sally did justice to our side in the contract negotiations. This photograph doesn't do justice to the beauty of the mountains.
2. Fig. to eat or drink a great deal. Bill always does justice to the turkey on Thanksgiving. The party didn't do justice to the roast pig. There were nearly ten pounds left over.
miscarriage of justice
a wrong or mistaken decision, especially one made in a court of law. Sentencing the old man on a charge of murder proved to be a miscarriage of justice. Punishing the student for cheating was a miscarriage of justice. He was innocent.
poetic justice
appropriate, ideal, or ironic punishment. It was poetic justice that Jane won the race after Mary tried to get her banned from the race. The car thieves tried to steal a car with no gas. That's poetic justice.
travesty of justice
a miscarriage of justice; an act of the legal system that is an insult to the system of justice. The jury's verdict was a travesty of justice. The lawyer complained that the judge's ruling was a travesty of justice.
do justice to somebody/something
also do somebody/something justice to treat or present someone or something fairly and accurately He supports his case with very technical information and it is impossible to do justice to it here. To do them justice, George and Nell did all they could to keep the puppet theater going.
poetic justice
if something that happens is poetic justice, someone who has done something bad is made to suffer in a way that seems fair There is a kind of poetic justice in the fact that the country responsible for the worst ecological disaster this century is the one suffering most from its effects.
rough justice
a punishment that is not fair or is too severe New evidence suggests that the girls were given rough justice.
do justice to
1. Treat fairly or adequately, with full appreciation, as in That review doesn't do the play justice. This expression was first recorded in John Dryden's preface to Troilus and Cressida (1679): "I cannot leave this subject before I do justice to that Divine Poet."
2. do oneself justice. Execute in accordance with one's abilities, as in She finally got a position in which she could do herself justice. [Second half of 1800s]
miscarriage of justice
An unfair decision, especially one in a court of law. For example, Many felt that his being expelled from the school was a miscarriage of justice. This expression, which uses miscarriage in the sense of "making a blunder," was first recorded in 1875.
poetic justice
An outcome in which virtue is rewarded and evil punished, often in an especially appropriate or ironic manner. For example, It was poetic justice for the known thief to go to jail for the one crime he didn't commit . [Early 1700s]
Truth, justice, and the American Way
and TJATAW phr. & comp. abb. a phrase said in response to impassioned declarations about almost anything. (This phrase was used to introduce the Superman radio and television programs.) Sure, Mom and apple pie, as well as TJATAW.
do justice to
To treat adequately, fairly, or with full appreciation: The subject is so complex that I cannot do justice to it in a brief survey.