a law unto
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a law unto (itself)
A body, organization, company, etc., that ignores rules and regulations in order to further its own interests. If banks didn't try to operate as a law unto themselves, the federal government wouldn't need to step in. The country will be met with swift sanctions if it continues to act as a law unto itself. That's why the regulatory body exists—to keep each company from acting as a law unto itself.
a law unto (oneself)
Someone who does whatever they desire, ignoring the rules and regulations. If you need to delegate, I wouldn't ask Gina—she is a law unto herself, and it's hard to persuade her to do anything she's not interested in. How many times has Jason been arrested now? Geez, he sure is a law unto himself! The country will be met with swift sanctions if their president continues to act as a law unto himself.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
a law unto (oneself)
A totally independent operator: An executive who is a law unto herself.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.