sacred cow
C1formal, journalistic, critical discourse
Definition
Meaning
An idea, custom, or institution considered immune from criticism or questioning.
A person, policy, or practice that is regarded as being above criticism, often due to tradition, reverence, or vested interests.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Always used metaphorically in modern English. Implies irrational or unquestioning reverence. Often used in plural form 'sacred cows'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. Both use it in political, corporate, and cultural commentary.
Connotations
Same pejorative connotation in both varieties. Suggests outdated or illogical immunity from scrutiny.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American political and business journalism.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] challenges/attacks/protects the sacred cow of [Institution/Idea]The sacred cow of [Topic] remains unchallenged.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No direct idioms, but related to 'third rail of politics' (US) and 'holy cow' (exclamation of surprise).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
'The annual bonus scheme had become a sacred cow, despite its negative impact on teamwork.'
Academic
'In sociology, the nuclear family is often analyzed as a cultural sacred cow.'
Everyday
'Don't criticise her cooking—that's a sacred cow in their family!'
Technical
Not typically used in STEM fields.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The policy was sacred-cowed for decades.
- They are sacred-cowing the entire budgeting process.
American English
- That program got sacred-cowed by the committee.
- You can't just sacred-cow every inefficient department.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- (Not typically introduced at A2 level) The idea is like a sacred cow.
- For many fans, the team's old stadium was a sacred cow.
- The new manager wasn't afraid to challenge the company's sacred cows, like the long lunch break.
- Critics argue that the universal healthcare system has become a political sacred cow, stifling necessary reform and evidence-based policy discussion.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a COW in a temple, wearing a SACRED golden bell. No one dares to tell the farmer the cow is unproductive because it's treated as holy.
Conceptual Metaphor
CRITICISM IS A SACRIFICE / QUESTIONING IS SLAUGHTER. The idea is the cow; to question it is to kill something revered.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid literal translation 'священная корова' unless in a clearly metaphorical context about ideas. In Russian, the phrase can sound like a direct cultural reference to Hinduism rather than a common idiom.
Common Mistakes
- Using it literally to refer to actual cattle. *'We saw a sacred cow in India.' (Incorrect use for the idiom). Confusing with 'cash cow' (a reliable source of income).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'sacred cow' used CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Rarely. It is almost always used critically to imply something is protected from necessary scrutiny. A positive spin would require explicit context, e.g., 'In a world of constant change, some see it as a comforting sacred cow.'
It originates from the respect for cattle in Hinduism, where cows are considered sacred and must not be harmed. The metaphorical use entered English in the late 19th/early 20th century.
When used as a standard English idiom to discuss ideas, it is not generally considered offensive. However, using it literally while discussing Hindu practices requires cultural sensitivity.
A 'taboo' is something prohibited or forbidden, often with a sense of disgust or danger. A 'sacred cow' is something revered and protected from criticism, not necessarily forbidden to discuss, but immune to being changed or disparaged.