How to Pronounce "fruit of the poisonous tree"
expression
FROOT uhv THUH POY-zuh-nuss TREE
fROOT ov THUH POY-zuh-nuss tREE
Definition
A legal metaphor meaning evidence obtained illegally or improperly is also tainted and cannot be used in court. It refers to anything that comes from an unlawful source being considered invalid.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈfɹut/ /ˈəv/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈpɔɪzənəs/ /ˈtɹi
British English
fɹˈuːt/ /ˈɒv/ /ðə, ði/ /pˈɔɪzənəs/ /tɹˈiː
Simplified Pronunciation
US
FROOT uhv THUH POY-zuh-nuss TREE
UK
fROOT ov THUH POY-zuh-nuss tREE
Listen in Context
Any evidence found using illegal means is called fruit of the poisonous tree.
The judge ruled that the confession was fruit of the poisonous tree.
If the police break the law to get evidence, it is considered fruit of the poisonous tree.
Because the search was illegal, everything they found was fruit of the poisonous tree.