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on principle

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on principle

also as a matter of principle

according to a moral rule or personal belief He opposed the death penalty on principle.

See also: on, principle

on principle

1. On moral or ethical grounds. As James Russell Lowell wrote about Alexander Pope in 1871, "There was a time when I could not read Pope, but disliked him on principle." [First half of 1800s]

2. According to a fixed rule or practice. For example, The police were locking up the demonstrators on principle. [First half of 1800s]

3. on general principle. For no special reason, in general, as in Dean won't touch broccoli on general principle. [First half of 1800s]

See also: on, principle

on principle

According to or because of principle.

See also: on, principle