circumstances alter cases

circumstances alter cases

proverb Unique circumstances can spur unconventional action. I know offering such a big refund isn't protocol, but it's for the CEO's grandmother, and circumstances alter cases.
See also: alter, case, circumstance
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

Circumstances alter cases.

Prov. In unusual situations, people are allowed to do unusual things. Cashier: I'm sorry, this store does not accept personal checks. Customer: But I need this medicine, and I don't have any cash. I've shopped at this store for fifteen years. Surely you can trust me this once. Cashier: Well, all right. Circumstances alter cases.
See also: alter, case, Circumstance
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • circumstance
  • teach a man to fish
  • village
  • it takes a village
  • require
  • desperate times call for desperate measures
  • desperate times require desperate measures
  • drastic
  • drastic times call for drastic measures
  • drastic times require drastic measures
References in classic literature
But circumstances alter cases; and I made this visit to-day, partly, indeed principally, to discharge myself of the duty of telling you, my dear, that two young people can only be betrothed in marriage
The Mystery of Edwin Drood
'I own I've set my face against it hitherto, but circumstances alter cases. I'll ring up the Prime Minister on the phone tomorrow, and buy a title myself.'
The Man Upstairs and Other Stories
As a late friend, citing his Jesuit training, would frequently say, "Circumstances alter cases always." The evolving Wikileaks story is full of "circumstances," new considerations that continue to alter my opinions.
There are no heroes in the Wikileaks saga
Circumstances alter cases. There are certainly times when putting the ball in touch and going for the try is the better option but sometimes it's over-ambitious and the old advice to "take the points" makes better sense.
Allan Massie: Encouraging signs in European defeats
Circumstances alter cases as the history of WW2 demonstrates.
We can't just do nothing
Circumstances alter cases, and I do not hold the view that all councillors who claim these expenses are necessarily only in it for themselves.
I agree, Ed
I know that times change, and that circumstances alter cases, but this strikes me as the weirdest U-turn of all time.
Tony Morris: The games not straight? Thats why I love racing