sacred cow

Definitions

Something which cannot be tampered with, or criticized, for fear of public outcry. A person, institution, belief system, etc. which, for no reason other than the demands of established social etiquette or popular opinion, should be accorded respect or reverence, and not touched, handled or examined too closely.

idiomatic

Equivalents

Examples

“Many sacred cows were milked dry in an unbelievable series of outrageous events.”

“Irreverence is our only sacred cow.”

“In my opinion, in order⟳ to save⟳ serious amounts of money, a number⟳ of 'sacred cows' will need⟳ slaying.”

“And he [Nick Fuentes] can attack what was until recently one of the right’s last⟳ true sacred cows: Israel.”

CEFR level