there is an exception to every rule

there is an exception to every rule

proverb Rules are not as clear, permanent, and unchanging as they may seem. A: "I'm so relieved that the principal has not punished my daughter for missing more days of school than school policy allows." B: "Well, she was very sick. There is an exception to every rule." As much as I try to remind her that there is an exception to every rule, my grandmother remains totally inflexible.
See also: every, exception, rule, there
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • not for a second
  • not for a minute
  • not for a moment
  • aint
  • ain't
  • not for a instant
  • not for a/one minute/moment/second/instant
  • by no means
  • not by any means
  • (I) hope not
References in periodicals archive
While it may be true that there is an exception to every rule, there is no doubt that that interpretation has fed into the level of lawlessness and impunity in this otherwise beautiful country of ours.
To every rule there is an exception?