Sacred cow

Meaning

The idiom "sacred cow" refers to a topic, idea, or person that is considered untouchable or inviolable by certain individuals or groups.

Usage

• The CEO's decisions are often seen as sacred cows and cannot be questioned without being perceived as an attack on his authority.
• The religious beliefs of the community are considered sacred cows and should not be challenged or criticized.
• The sports team has a reputation for being a sacred cow, with fans fiercely loyal to every decision made by management.
• The scientific theories proposed by Albert Einstein are often regarded as sacred cows, and many scientists refuse to challenge them.
• The company's marketing strategy is considered a sacred cow, with little room for experimentation or innovation.

Roots and History

The idiom "sacred cow" dates back to the late 19th century and originates from the fact that sacred cows were often kept by certain individuals or groups as status symbols or offerings to deities. Over time, the idiom has come to refer to any topic, idea, or person that is highly valued or revered by a group of people.

Synonyms in English

• Untouchable
• Invincible
• Sacred
• Holy ground
• Taboo

Synonyms in other languages

• 無法問題 (Wúfà wènjí) - Chinese - This idiom translates to "no matter what" and is used to indicate that something is untouchable or inviolable.
• בלעמה גם תעשון המדע (Be'lama hagam tashuvan hamedá) - Hebrew - This idiom translates to "even a good deed cannot be done" and is used to indicate that certain actions are forbidden or unacceptable.
• לא ניתן שטועה אל בססרה (L'ech naiytan sh'tulah el besserah) - Hebrew - This idiom translates to "it is not allowed to be in the presence of holiness" and is used to indicate that certain topics or ideas are too sacred or holy to be discussed or touched upon.

Similar Idioms

• steal thunder

• beat a dead horse

• copycat