KANGAROO COURT Definition & Meaning

View synonyms for

kangaroo court

noun

a self-appointed or mob-operated tribunal that disregards or parodies existing principles of law or human rights, especially one in a frontier area or among criminals in prison.
any crudely or irregularly operated court, especially one so controlled as to render a fair trial impossible.

kangaroo court

noun

an irregular court, esp one set up by prisoners in a jail or by strikers to judge strikebreakers

kangaroo court

A court that ignores principles of justice; a court characterized by incompetence and dishonesty.

Discover More

51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of kangaroo court¹

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55

Discover More

Idioms and Phrases

A self-appointed tribunal that violates established legal procedure; also, a dishonest or incompetent court of law. For example, The rebels set up a kangaroo court and condemned the prisoners to summary execution, or That judge runs a kangaroo court—he tells rape victims they should have been more careful. This expression is thought to liken the jumping ability of kangaroos to a court that jumps to conclusions on an invalid basis. [Mid-1800s]

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

"He finished his sentence for God's sake. It was an unfair sentence rendered by a kangaroo court," his mother says.

From

Compensation for sub-postmasters is not being decided by a "kangaroo court", the body overseeing the payouts has said, pushing back against allegations made by Sir Alan Bates.

From

The court was urged to take into consideration that Mr McGregor had posted a series of social media posts after the verdict, in which he described the court as a "kangaroo court".

From

But Brig Kulayigye said the court martial "is not a kangaroo court".

From

Banana republics drag their opponents into kangaroo courts.

From

kangaroo closure kangaroo dog

Browse