Meaning of rough justice | Babel Free

Definitions

Treatment or punishment that is not considered fair or in accordance with the law.

idiomatic, uncountable

Examples

“At rallies in swing⟳ states from Arizona to North Carolina, this reporter has heard the cheers when Mr Trump roars that America has every right to fight⟳ back, even if that involves rough justice or being “so tough”, as he puts it.”

“[…] Prosecutors around the country campaigned on promises to charge fewer juveniles as adults, stop⟳ prosecuting low-level marijuana possession and seek⟳ the death penalty less often. And they did so in places with well-deserved reputations for rough justice, including Chicago, Houston and Tampa, Fla. Most, but not all, of these candidates were Democrats, and many of them won, including a former defense lawyer in Corpus Christi, Tex., who has the words “Not Guilty” tattooed on his chest.”

“The term lynch appears to have⟳ entered the language from Colonel Charles Lynch of Virginia, who served rough justice to Loyalists.”

CEFR level