sacred

Someone or something that is considered to have a status that allows it avoid any criticism or questioning. The phrase refers to the veneration of the cow in Hinduism. Unfortunately, that particular program is a sacred cow, and everyone loses their minds if you try to cut its funding. Why is he such a sacred cow around here? He's just a football coach.

A set question used to bemoan a lack of respect for something or some topic. These tabloids have been publishing the most disgusting lies about them following the death of their son. Is nothing sacred?

Psilocybin mushrooms, which have psychoactive effects when ingested. I ate way too many magic mushrooms and had the trippiest night of my life! They told me these were magic mushrooms, but I don't really feel anything after eating them.

A set phrase used to bemoan a lack of respect for something or some topic. You should know by now that nothing is sacred for these tabloids. I'm not opposed to being a progressive society, but for kids these days it seems like nothing is sacred!

Something that is considered above reproach or immune to negative criticism. An allusion to cows' sacred status in the Hindu religion. One thing you have to understand is that freedom of speech is one of the sacred cows of American culture and politics. The book has always been John's sacred cow—if you try to point out any of its flaws, he'll fly off on a tirade against you.

Psilocybin mushrooms, which have psychoactive effects when ingested. I ate way too many sacred mushrooms and had the trippiest night of my life! They told me these were sacred mushrooms, but I don't really feel anything after eating them.

Fig. something that is regarded by some people with such respect and veneration that they do not like it being criticized by anyone in any way. (From the fact that the cow is regarded as sacred in India and is not eaten or mistreated.) A university education is a sacred cow in the Smith family. Fred is regarded as a failure because he quit school at 16. Don't talk about eating meat to Pam. Vegetarianism is one of her sacred cows.

A person or thing immune to criticism or questioning, as in The rules governing the press conference have become a sacred cow in this administration. This term alludes to the honored status of cows in Hinduism, where they are a symbol of God's generosity to humankind. It has been used figuratively since about 1900.

If you describe a belief, opinion, or tradition as a sacred cow, you mean that people are not willing to criticize or question it or to do anything to change it. That would have meant leaving the Exchange Rate Mechanism — and the ERM is the sacred cow of British politics. The trade unions were, perhaps, the greatest sacred cow in British politics during the 1960s and early 1970s. Note: This is often used in a disapproving way. Note: In the Hindu religion, cows are regarded as sacred.

A person, group, or institution considered exempt from questioning or criticism. The term alludes to the Hindu view of cows, which are considered symbolic of God’s generosity to humanity. The British coined the term in India in the late nineteenth century, and it began to be used metaphorically by 1900 or so. Margaret Mitchell used it in Gone With the Wind (1936): “I think of my brother, living among the sacred cows of Charleston, and most reverent towards them.”

Above criticism. Hindus regard bovines as revered creatures, not to be mistreated in any way. The English-speaking world began to apply this religious practice in the mid-19th century to any person or project (often political in nature) that, like Caesar's wife, should not be faulted.