- Home
- Idioms
- principle
principle
against (one's) principles
In opposition or contrary to one's values or beliefs, such as those of religion, ethics, or ideology. I'm afraid it goes against my principles to vote for a measure that would limit funding for public schools. He told me it's against his principles to drink alcohol.
agreement in principle
An agreement in which the general terms and/or conditions of a deal are accepted without the complete details having been specified or necessarily agreed upon. There was an agreement in principle that the government would cover the cost of building a new school, but so far we haven't seen a clear proposal on how this would be accomplished.
agree in principle
To accept the general terms and/or conditions of a deal without having completed or agreed upon the specific details. The government has agreed in principle that it will cover the cost of building a new school, but so far we haven't seen a clear proposal on how this would be accomplished.
compromise (with) (one's) principles
To forsake, ignore, or otherwise go against one's fundamental beliefs or virtues. I never thought he would compromise his principles just to get ahead in business like that. Jane felt really guilty about compromising with her principles when she didn't turn her friends into the police after she saw them stealing.
in principle
as a general idea, theory, or belief
Members of both parties agreed in principle that some federal dollars should be used to improve election systems. Usage notes: said about something done without considering details or special situations
on principle
also as a matter of principle according to a moral rule or personal belief He opposed the death penalty on principle.
in principle
Fundamentally, in general, but not necessarily in all particulars. For example, The diplomats accepted the idea in principle but would rely on experts to work out all the details . [Early 1800s]
on principle
1. On moral or ethical grounds. As James Russell Lowell wrote about Alexander Pope in 1871, "There was a time when I could not read Pope, but disliked him on principle." [First half of 1800s]
2. According to a fixed rule or practice. For example, The police were locking up the demonstrators on principle. [First half of 1800s]
3. on general principle. For no special reason, in general, as in Dean won't touch broccoli on general principle. [First half of 1800s]
in principle
With regard to the basics: an idea that is acceptable in principle.
on principle
According to or because of principle.