The term "sacred cow" has passed into the English language to mean an object or practice which is considered immune from criticism, especially unreasonably so. [ [http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/sacred%20cow sacred cow - Definitions from Dictionary.com ] ] [ [http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/309250.html Sacred cow ] ] The phrase is based on a popular understanding of the status of cows as 'sacred' in some Asian religions.
References
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sacred cow — {n.} A person or thing that is never criticized, laughed at, or insulted even if it deserves such treatment. * /Motherhood is a sacred cow to most politicians./ * /The bold young governor had no respect for the state s sacred cows./ * /Television … Dictionary of American idioms
sacred cow — {n.} A person or thing that is never criticized, laughed at, or insulted even if it deserves such treatment. * /Motherhood is a sacred cow to most politicians./ * /The bold young governor had no respect for the state s sacred cows./ * /Television … Dictionary of American idioms
sacred cow — sacred cows N COUNT (disapproval) If you describe a belief, custom, or institution as a sacred cow, you disapprove of people treating it with too much respect and being afraid to criticize or question it. ...the sacred cow of monetarism … English dictionary
sacred cow — Something that is a sacred cow is held in such respect that it cannot be criticised or attacked … The small dictionary of idiomes
sacred cow — ► NOUN ▪ an idea, custom, or institution held to be above criticism (with reference to the respect of Hindus for the cow as a sacred animal) … English terms dictionary
sacred cow — n a belief, custom, system etc that is so important to some people that they will not let anyone criticize it ▪ In New York s show business scene, money, fame and power are sacred cows … Dictionary of contemporary English
sacred cow — noun count something that many people think is too important to change, question, or criticize … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
sacred cow — ☆ sacred cow n. any person or thing regarded as above criticism or attack … English World dictionary
sacred cow — The English idiom sacred cow was coined with ref erence to the veneration of cows that is common in India, but it reflects a degree of misunderstand ing. Hindus do venerate and respect cows, but they do not regularly worship them; nor do they… … Encyclopedia of Hinduism
sacred cow — UK / US noun [countable] Word forms sacred cow : singular sacred cow plural sacred cows something that many people think is too important to change, question, or criticize … English dictionary
