Take the law into your own hands

verb phrase

To punish someone for a crime or take action against something wrongly on your own, instead of letting the authorities or law enforcement handle it.

After the police failed to stop the burglaries, the neighborhood residents decided to take the law into their own hands.

Disapproving

Colloquial

Definition 1 of 1

Pro Tip 1/3

The phrase suggests disapproval and implies taking action outside the law, which is often seen negatively.

Vigilantes who take the law into their own hands can end up facing legal consequences.

Pro Tip 2/3

The phrase often implies acting out of strong emotions like frustration or anger rather than reason.

Overwhelmed by anger, he took the law into his own hands after his brother was assaulted.

Pro Tip 3/3

It's a figurative expression and doesn't mean physically grabbing or controlling the law.

He didn't literally take the law into his hands; he just confronted the thief.

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