hanging offense

hanging offense

A crime, misdeed, or impropriety that is (hyperbolically) perceived to warrant death by hanging. Primarily heard in US. Political correctness has become so authoritarian these days that saying anything with even the slightest derogatory implication is seen as a hanging offense!
See also: hanging, offense
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

a hanging offence

a fault or crime so serious that the perpetrator should be executed.
1998 Spectator It is hardly a hanging offence to overlook telegrams about a small African country, but surely the Prime Minister must read JIC reports?
See also: hanging, offence
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • a hanging offence
  • offence
  • beat the rap
  • hang (someone) for (something)
  • hang for
  • have (one) dead to rights
  • have dead to rights
  • have someone dead to rights
  • bring a charge against
  • bring a charge against (someone)
References in classic literature
Smuggling is not, like polygamy, a hanging offense. The worst that can happen to us is the confiscation of our merchandise.
Ten Years Later
"Is this a hanging offense? Does it drive a spike into existing intelligence sharing arrangements?
Trump shared secrets with Russia. Here's why it matters
In an age when money is not only paper but paperless, an age in which democracy has the manners, though not the morals, of a Thai lady-boy, an age in which substance, in nearly every field of endeavor, is pretty much a hanging offense, deriding a politician for doing nothing is not only outmoded, it is naive.
The capitalist nonesuch
This could be considered a "hanging offense" and such a trial should be implemented before any more damage can be done or any more Israeli blood spilled.
Reasons to Bring Olmert to Trial for Treason
Nicloux, who is also a stage helmer and novelist, has shown a fondness for genre in the past in private-eye yarns like "Private Affair" and "Hanging Offense." This venture into sci-fi/fantasy may have looked good on paper, but on the screen it's the kind of silly film that gives New Age a bad name.
The Stone Council
This is a hanging offense, and Frank Austen and Jane hope to help Tom prove his innocence.
Jane and the Prisoner of Wool House
But the Kislyak call wasn't a hanging offense, and it probably wasn't even a prosecutable one.
The Comey debacle only magnifies the Russia mystery