take the law into one's own hands

== English == === Alternative forms === take law into one's own hands, take the law into one's hands === Pronunciation === === Verb === take the law into one's own hands (third-person singular simple present takes the law into one's own hands, present participle taking the law into one's own hands, simple past took the law into one's own hands, past participle taken the law into one's own hands) (intransitive, idiomatic) To punish someone according to one's own idea of justice, without consideration for the role of law enforcement authorities. ==== Related terms ==== take matters into one's own hands ==== Translations ==== ==== See also ==== law unto oneself