More honoured in the breach than in the observanceMore honoured in the breach than in the observanceMeaning:
This is usually thought to mean a rule which is more often broken than observed. The context of the play shows the real meaning as 'it is more honourable to breach than to observe'.
Example: Origin:
From Shakespeare's Hamlet, 1603:
HAMLET Ay, marry, is't: But to my mind, though I am native here And to the manner born, it is a custom More honour'd in the breach than the observance. Phrases | More honoured in the breach than in the observance to HOME PAGE | ||||
|
| ||||
