English Idioms

Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms

Kangaroo court

Meaning

The idiom "Kangaroo court" refers to a situation where a group of people or individuals judge someone without providing them with a fair trial or due process. It is often used to describe a situation where justice is not being served fairly, and the accused person does not have access to legal representation or a fair hearing. The term comes from the practice of holding court in Australia, where kangaroos were used as judges instead of humans.

Usage

  • The manager was accused of embezzlement, but he was tried by a "kangaroo court" of his peers without any evidence being presented against him.
  • The student was expelled from school after being falsely accused of cheating on an exam during a "kangaroo court" hearing.
  • The employee was fired without cause, and the company claimed it was due to performance issues, but in reality, it was a "kangaroo court" decision.
  • The activist was arrested during a peaceful protest and tried by a "kangaroo court" of police officers who did not allow her to have legal representation.
  • The whistleblower was harassed and threatened after reporting wrongdoing at the company, leading to a "kangaroo court" atmosphere where no one dared to speak up against the accused.

Roots and History

The origin of the idiom "Kangaroo court" is unclear, but it is believed to have originated in Australia during the 19th century. During this time, kangaroos were sometimes used as judges in court proceedings, particularly in remote areas where there were no human judges available. The practice was not widely accepted and was often seen as a form of justice that was not fair or impartial. Over time, the term came to be used more broadly to refer to any situation where justice was not being served fairly.

Synonyms in English

  • Lynching
  • Extra-judicial punishment
  • Vigilante justice
  • Show trial
  • Justice by intimidation

Synonyms in other languages

  • In Spanish, the equivalent of "kangaroo court" is "corte marcial", which means martial law court.
  • In French, the equivalent of "kangaroo court" is "tribunal militaire", which means military tribunal.
  • In German, the equivalent of "kangaroo court" is "Feldgerichtshof", which means field court.
  • In Italian, the equivalent of "kangaroo court" is "corte marziale", which means martial law court.
  • In Japanese, the equivalent of "kangaroo court" is "gunsochi", which means military trial.

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