1
general::
In addition to the idioms beginning with LAW, Also see ABOVE SUSPICION (THE LAW); LAY DOWN THE LAW; LETTER OF THE LAW; LONG ARM OF THE LAW; MURPHY'S LAW; POSSESSION IS NINE POINTS OF THE LAW; TAKE THE LAW INTO ONE'S HANDS; UNWRITTEN LAW.
American Heritage Idioms
3
general::
law
verbs
obey the law
• Citizens have a duty to obey the law.
break the law
(= do something illegal )
• Is the company breaking the law?
pass a law
• New Jersey passed a law requiring helmets for scooter riders.
become law
(= officially be made a law )
• For a bill to become law, it must be approved by both Houses of Parliament.
make laws
• Part of the function of Parliament is to make laws.
introduce a law
• In 1989, a new law was introduced to protect the Polish language.
enforce a law
(= make people obey a law )
• It is the job of the police to enforce the law.
flout a law
(= deliberately disobey a law )
• Employers who flout the law should be properly punished.
repeal a law
(= officially end a law )
• Many people want the law to be repealed.
a law prohibits something
(= says that it is not allowed )
• The law prohibits possession of these animals.
phrases
something is against the law
(= it is illegal )
• The children knew that shoplifting was against the law.
stay/act within the law
(= not do illegal things )
• The security forces must act within the law.
ADJECTIVES/NOUN + law
strict/tough
• the country’s strict anti-tobacco laws
tax/copyright/divorce etc law(s)
• an accountant who knows about tax law
criminal law
(= laws concerning crimes )
• Criminal law contains definitions of such crimes as murder, rape, and robbery.
civil law
(= laws concerning disagreements between people, rather than crimes )
• The punishment for breaking civil law is usually a fine.
international law
(= laws that all countries agree to obey )
• Under international law, the countries must respect the treaty.
English/German etc law
• This is not an offence under English law.
federal law
(= the law of the US, not a particular state )
• Under federal law, it is illegal to discriminate against employees because of race or sex.
state law
(= the law in a US state )
• Under state law it was illegal for any public official to receive gifts worth more than $100.
common law
(= laws that have come from customs and the decisions of judges )
• In common law, if a house is rented out, it is expected that the house is safe to live in.
case law
(= law based on previous court cases )
• There is little case law covering this issue.
transnet.ir
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general::
noun official rule/rules ADJ. administrative, case, civil, common, constitutional, contract, criminal, international, statute, etc. (see also martial law) VERB + LAW become Parliament voted for the bill to become law. | enforce, uphold It's the job of the police to enforce the law. | obey, observe | break, flout, violate | adopt, enact, pass | annul, repeal | interpret Judges interpret this law in different ways. LAW + VERB allow sth, forbid sth, prohibit sth The law forbids gambling of any kind. | permit sth | require sth The wearing of a crash helmet is required by law. | govern sth the law governing school attendance LAW + NOUN court | enforcement PREP. above the ~ No one is above the law. | against the ~ What you did was clearly against the law. | by ~ By law, you are obliged to install smoke alarms in the factory. | within the ~ The company is operating entirely within the law. | ~ against a local law against keeping horses | ~ concerning the law concerning industrial action ballots | ~ on A law on hunting will cause a lot of disagreements. | ~ relating to the law relating to the sale of goods PHRASES as the law stands As the law stands, you can get married while still too young to have a driving licence. | law and order Martial law was imposed to prevent the breakdown of law and order. | the letter of the law In spite of the difficulties it would cause her family, the judge stuck to the letter of the law and jailed her. | take the law into your own hands When police failed to arrest the suspect, local people took the law into their own hands and beat him up. subject of study/profession VERB + LAW practise LAW + NOUN firmSUBJECT (for more verbs and nouns)
Oxford Collocations Dictionary