sacred cow
noun
an individual, organization, institution, etc., considered to be exempt from criticism or questioning.
Origin of sacred cow
First recorded in 1905–10; in reference to the traditional inviolability of the cow among Hindus
Words nearby sacred cow
sacrectomy,
sacred,
sacred baboon,
sacred bamboo,
sacred college,
sacred cow,
sacred heart,
sacred ibis,
sacred lotus,
sacred monster,
sacred mushroom
British Dictionary definitions for sacred cow
sacred cow
noun
informal
a person, institution, custom, etc, unreasonably held to be beyond criticism
Word Origin for sacred cow
alluding to the Hindu belief that cattle are sacred
Cultural definitions for sacred cow
sacred cow
Figuratively, anything that is beyond criticism: “That housing project is a real sacred cow: the city council won't hear of abandoning it.” In India, followers of Hinduism consider cows sacred and do not eat them because they believe the animals contain the souls of dead persons.
Idioms and Phrases with sacred cow
sacred cow
A person or thing immune to criticism or questioning, as in The rules governing the press conference have become a sacred cow in this administration. This term alludes to the honored status of cows in Hinduism, where they are a symbol of God's generosity to humankind. It has been used figuratively since about 1900.