sacred cow

noun

: one that is often unreasonably immune from criticism or opposition

Examples of sacred cow in a Sentence

The old government program has become a sacred cow.

Recent Examples on the Web

Music plays a key role here, as the show used the old theme as a sort of sacred cow to be sacrificed, further giving way for something else to come. — Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2026

These bloated and inefficient school districts are sacred cows whose tax bases, and our tax bills, are growing without restraint. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 20 June 2026

The sacred Philadelphia cheesesteak For more than a few Philadelphians, cheesesteak is a sacred cow. — Susan Spencer, CBS News, 17 May 2026

No one is untradeable in the NBA, and there are no sacred cows on this roster, just a bunch of Bulls. — Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 6 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

from the veneration of the cow by Hindus

First Known Use

1910, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sacred cow

• anyhow
• carabao
• disallow
• disavow
• allow
• avow
• chiao
• endow
• eyebrow
• highbrow
• lanao
• meow