Etymology

more honored in the breach

Today it means: Justifiably violated; endowing greater moral standing to those who disobey. (of a rule, custom, etc.) Full definition →

Ask AI about its historyChatGPTClaudePerplexityGoogle AIGrok

The story

Coined by William Shakespeare in 1602 in "Hamlet," act 1, scene 4: : But to my mind, though I am native here : And to the manner born, it is a custom : More honored in the breach than the observance.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.