legislate

Related to legislate: legislate against

legislate against (something)

To ban, prohibit, or forbid something through legislation. As it stands, over 20 states still legislate against recreational marijuana, despite the federal government lifting its own ban earlier this year. I just don't think the government should legislate against things like cheap junk food.
See also: legislate

legislate for (something)

To allow something to happen or take effect through legislation. The president has been a staunch supporter of healthcare reforms since taking office. Congress has successfully legislated for raising the age at which one is allowed to purchase alcohol.
See also: legislate
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

legislate against something

to prohibit something; to pass a law against something. You can't just legislate against something. You have to explain to people why they shouldn't do it. The Congress has just legislated against insolvent banks.
See also: legislate

legislate for something

to pass a law that tries to make something happen. The candidate pledged to legislate for tax relief. We support your efforts to legislate for lower taxes.
See also: legislate
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • legislate against
  • legislate against (something)
  • prohibit from
  • doobage
  • dubage
  • coli
  • toke up
  • herb
  • killer weed
  • drug of choice
References in periodicals archive
'I will join other progressive-minded members of the National Assembly to legislate for free, compulsory and qualitative Universal Basic Education.
"We've given away soft goals in the past and I can't legislate for that.
The Wales Office had referred it to the Attorney General over concerns the Assembly was legislating on the status of the English language, when it only had competence to legislate over Welsh.
He will say that the Scottish Parliament "does not have power to legislate for a referendum on independence".
Chairwoman Menna Machreth said: "We will be emphasising that the right to legislate over the Welsh language are transferred completely from London to Wales.
According to Aquinas, a judge has no authority under any circumstance to legislate.
"If you are not electing Christians, tried and true, under public scrutiny and pressure, if you're not electing Christians, then in essence you are going to legislate sin.
In August, Harris told the Florida Baptist Witness that the "separation of church and state is a lie we have been told." She added, "If you're not electing Christians, then in essence you are going to legislate sin.
Dear Editor, The Tories say it is unfair that the Scottish and Welsh MPs sitting at Westminster can legislate for England over matters which in their own countries are controlled by the Scottish Parliament let alone the Welsh Assembly.
Land Supreme Court decision is clearly a victory of sorts for insurers who are defrauded by insureds on claims, the industry would be well advised to recognize the emergence of a court that will not hesitate to presume legislative intent in a statute and to legislate from the bench to suit its purposes.
There needs to be at the next Lambeth Conference a discussion on authority within the Anglican Communion and I would ask that the office of Archbishop of Canterbury be given additional authority to legislate and counsel decisions of faith and morals within the church.
'We have to make sure that we legislate, if we do legislate, in a sensible way.'
Unfortunately, 'good design', perhaps even more so than 'good planning', would seem to be difficult to legislate for.
Between the Welsh Assembly, Holyrood and the proposed North East version, the Scots have the most power, with the ability to legislate.
Starting with an introduction, the first section addresses, "Why Christians Shouldn't Legislate Morality." Here he examines the biblical evidence concerning the Christian use of government to pursue "social morality" goals.