Against the law Meaning in English
expression
əˈɡeɪnst/, /əˈɡɛnst/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈɫɑ/, /ˈɫɔ
uh-GAYNST thuh LAW
ɐɡˈɛnst/ /ðə, ði/ /lˈɔː
ug-ENST thuh LAW
Definition
Describes something that is not allowed by law; it is illegal and punishable if done.
Usage & Nuances
Semi-formal; used to describe actions prohibited by law, often as a synonym for 'illegal.' Commonly appears in official contexts, news, and conversation. Don't confuse with 'wrong' (which means morally bad, not necessarily illegal). Often used with verbs like 'is,' 'was,' or 'goes.'
Spanish: ilegal - contra la leyPortuguese (BR): ilegal - contra a leiPortuguese (PT): ilegal - contra a leiChinese (Simplified): 违法Chinese (Traditional): 違法Hindi: क़ानून के खिलाफArabic: ضد القانونBengali: আইনের বিরুদ্ধে - অবৈধRussian: противозаконно - незаконноJapanese: 法律に違反している - 違法Vietnamese: trái pháp luật - bất hợp phápKorean: 법에 위배되는 - 불법적인Turkish: yasaya aykırı - yasa dışıUrdu: قانون کے خلاف - غیر قانونیIndonesian: melanggar hukum - ilegal
Example Sentences
Stealing is against the law.
basic
It is against the law to drive without a license.
basic
Selling drugs is against the law here.
basic
What you did was against the law, so there could be serious consequences.
natural
Even if everyone else does it, it's still against the law.
natural
She wasn't sure if it was just wrong or actually against the law.
natural