law unto

law unto

A phrase used to describe someone who acts independently of what is normal or expected. Julie has always marched to the beat of her own drum. She's a law unto herself.
See also: law, unto
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

a law unto yourself

COMMON If you describe a person or organization as a law unto themselves, you mean that they do what they want, ignoring laws, rules, or usual ways of doing things. He does his work well but in an unconventional way. He is truly a law unto himself. Most athletic departments are pretty much a law unto themselves — unaccountable in terms of where this money goes.
See also: law, unto
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

a law unto (oneself)

A totally independent operator: An executive who is a law unto herself.
See also: law, unto
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • every man for himself
  • hindmost
  • it's every man for himself
  • drum out
  • (as) sure as eggs (is eggs)
  • 57
  • drum
  • every man for himself and the devil take the hindmost
  • (one's) best foot forward
  • trust, but verify
References in classic literature
Likewise beautiful women have always been a law unto themselves.
In this savage world where there was no law the Big Bwana was law unto himself and all who dwelt about him.
It was as if she had been made afresh out of new elements, and must perforce be permitted to live her own life, and be a law unto herself without her eccentricities being reckoned to her for a crime.
There was not enough sea, though, to disturb even a dory's tackle, but the Carrie Pitman was a law unto herself.
We have become law unto ourselves even to the extent that we can throw rubbish in the nearest open drain because for every rule there is an exception.
Tanya Starling They are a law unto themselves, and everyone lets them continue to get away with it.
"Cosmetic firms bringing in tighter controls to protect young people's mental health is a major step forward, but voluntary steps on their own mean mental health too often will still be left in the hands of providers operating as a law unto themselves," he said.
Professor Stephen Powis, NHS national medical director, said: "Cosmetic firms bringing in tighter controls to protect young people's mental health is a major step forward, but voluntary steps on their own mean mental health too often will still be left in the hands of providers operating as a law unto themselves."
THE authorities seem oblivious to the shenanigans of school transport operators, who have become a law unto themselves.
Bailiffs have become a law unto themselves as they know they can get away with breaking rules."
"What the DPP is saying is that he is the law unto himself.
Gillian Guy, chief executive of Citizens Advice, said: "Too often bailiffs, and the firms they work for, are a law unto themselves.
"The problem is that the FA is a law unto itself," said the director of football at Queens Park Rangers (left).
This is a company that seems to be a law unto itself in the way it operates its business.