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.
See also: law, unto

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.
See also: law, unto
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.
See also: law, unto
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.
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References in periodicals archive ?
Phil Bardsley, who was pictured on his back in a casino draped in PS50 notes looked to be a law unto himself.
Taylor's law out of order
"Senior police officers are not a law unto themselves and should not think they have a monopoly of wisdom.
They say
But as far as football matters are concerned in this country the FA are the law, so you can say yes, they are a law unto themselves.
Football: Reaction that deserved a rap from the FA
MANAGER David Moyes may be back in front of Football Association disciplinary bosses early than he anticipated after labelling officials at Soho Square as "a law unto themselves".
FOOTBALL SHORTS: Outspoken Moyes; EVERTON
Lake approvingly noted: "In peacekeeping and other efforts at conflict resolution, we are literally making case law every day." Which was a stark admission that the oligarchy running UN operations, despite their sanctimonious appeals to "democracy" and "the rule of law," are really a law unto themselves.
A political shell game: by appealing to patriotism and staging made-for-TV rallies, the UN is attempting to trick Americans into supporting its bid to become the most powerful institution on Earth
Local vet Bill Carstairs said: "The sheep are a law unto themselves.
Killer sheep scare
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