appeal to Caesar

To direct a plea to the most powerful person in a particular setting or situation. No one else has the authority to overturn this decision—you'll have to appeal to Caesar on this one. Well, I guess there's nothing more we can do if we've appealed to Caesar and been rebuffed. I've only worked here a few months, so I don't think I have the clout to appeal to Caesar on anything yet.

be like Caesar's wife

To be required or obliged to avoid attracting negative attention or scrutiny because of one's involvement with a famous or prominent figure. Julius Caesar allegedly used the phrase "Caesar's wife must be above suspicion" to explain why he divorced his wife, Pompeia. I know I must be like Caesar's wife now that my husband is famous and our every action is scrutinized by the public. All of us have to be like Caesar's wife, got it? The slightest scandal could totally derail Dad's presidential bid. A: "I wonder if celebrities' families feel suffocated by the need to be like Caesar's wife." B: "What if avoiding exposure in the tabloids is its own reward, though?"

Caesar's wife

One who must avoid attracting negative attention or scrutiny owing to one's involvement with a famous or prominent figure. Julius Caesar allegedly used the phrase "Caesar's wife must be above suspicion" to explain why he divorced his wife, Pompeia. I felt a bit like Caesar's wife after seeing how much scrutiny my every action gets because of my husband's newfound success. All of us have to be like Caesar's wife, got it? The slightest scandal could totally derail Dad's presidential bid. A: "I wonder if celebrities' families feel suffocated by the need to be like Caesar's wife." B: "Eh, but what if avoiding exposure in the tabloids is its own reward?"

Caesar's wife must be above suspicion

proverb If one is involved with a famous or prominent figure, one must avoid attracting negative attention or scrutiny. Julius Caesar allegedly used the phrase to explain why he divorced his wife, Pompeia. After my son's scandal derailed my presidential bid, I understood why Caesar's wife must be above suspicion. If you're going to marry such a prominent figure in the tech industry, I hope you know to abide by the adage, "Caesar's wife must be above suspicion." A man of your position cannot be romantically involved with a woman who has such a seedy past. Caesar's wife must be above suspicion!

like Caesar's wife

Required or attempting to avoid negative attention or scrutiny because of one's involvement with a famous or prominent figure. Julius Caesar allegedly used the phrase "Caesar's wife must be above suspicion" to explain why he divorced his wife, Pompeia. I know I must be like Caesar's wife now that my husband is famous and our every action is scrutinized by the public.

render unto Caesar

To yield something to the government, usually money. The phrase alludes to a statement made by Jesus: "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's," in response to questions about Caesar's ability to tax Jews. Oh, great—it's almost tax season again. Time to render unto Caesar that which is his.

render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's

To yield something to the government, usually money. The phrase alludes to a statement made by Jesus: "Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's," in response to questions about Caesar's ability to tax Jews. Oh, great—it's almost tax season again. Time to render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's.

render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's

See also: caesar, render, that, thing, unto

render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's

Caesar's wife must be above suspicion.

Prov. The associates of public figures must not even be suspected of wrongdoing. (The ancient Roman Julius Caesar is supposed to have said this when asked why he divorced his wife, Pompeia. Because she was suspected of some wrongdoing, he could not associate with her anymore.) Jill: I don't think the mayor is trustworthy; his brother was charged with embezzlement. Jane: But the charges were never proved. Jill: That doesn't matter. Caesar's wife must be above suspicion. When the newspapers reported the rumor that the lieutenant governor had failed to pay his taxes, the governor forced him to resign, saying, "Caesar's wife must be above suspicion."

appeal to Caesar

appeal to the highest possible authority.

The allusion is to the claim made by the apostle Paul to have his case heard in Rome, which was his right as a Roman citizen: ‘I appeal unto Caesar’ (Acts 25:11).

Caesar's wife

a person who is required to be above suspicion.

This expression comes ultimately from Plutarch 's account of Julius Caesar 's decision to divorce his wife Pompeia . The libertine Publius Clodius , who was in love with Pompeia, smuggled himself into the house in which the women of Caesar's household were celebrating a festival, thereby causing a scandal. Caesar refused to bring charges against Clodius, but divorced Pompeia; when questioned he replied ‘I thought my wife ought not even to be under suspicion’.

Caesar's wife

A woman whose ethics should not be questioned. A Roman emperor's wife was deemed to be above reproach; if her morals were called in question, it was a serious problem to her husband's image and political and social power. The phrase came down over the centuries to be applied to any woman, married to a leader or not, whose behavior was—or should be—beyond criticism. (According to the historian Suetonius, what Julius Caesar actually said translates as “My wife should be as much free from suspicion of a crime as she is from a crime itself.”)