twelve good men and true

twelve good men and true

A jury of upright, honest, trustworthy people. Juries were once composed solely of men, and so this phrase has begun falling into disuse. I know the evidence I strong, but we have to convince twelve good men and true beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is guilty.

See also: and, good, men, true, twelve

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

twelve good men and true

Fig. a jury composed of trustworthy men. He was convicted by a jury of twelve good men and true. Not a wino in the lot.

See also: and, good, men, true, twelve

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

twelve good men and true

a jury. dated

A jury in a court of law was traditionally composed of twelve men. Nowadays, of course, women also sit on juries, and so this phrase is falling out of use.

See also: and, good, men, true, twelve

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017