Phrase guide

gods may do what cattle may not

proverb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

proverb

Meaning 1

What is permitted to one important person or group is not permitted to everyone; there is a double standard.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • For quotations using this term, see Citations:gods may do what cattle may not.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Perhaps a modified calque of quod licet Iovi, non licet bovi.