color of law
(legal, US) A mere semblance of legal right; a means to do something with the apparent authority of law but actually in contravention of law.
Seen in the wild
We're gonna set that motherfucker on fire under color of law as part of a government sanctioned celebration when the Regime gets the boot
Politically motivated prosecution of protected speech puts it into the realm of a conspiracy against rights or deprivation of rights under the color of law. That's a felony.
Definitions
(legal, US) A mere semblance of legal right; a means to do something with the apparent authority of law but actually in contravention of law.
The plaintiff claimed that under color of law the officer had deprived him of his civil rights.
“We're gonna set that motherfucker on fire under color of law as part of a government sanctioned celebration when the Regime gets the boot”
— Bluesky· May 2026“Politically motivated prosecution of protected speech puts it into the realm of a conspiracy against rights or deprivation of rights under the color of law. That's a felony.”
— Bluesky· May 2026
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Regional slang from around the English-speaking world — British, Australian, Irish, Caribbean, Nigerian, Filipino, AAVE, and the hyphenated-English dialects that make the internet sound local.
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Semantically related
- color of authority74%
(North America, _, legal) The claimed legitimization of a person's acts by their role as an agent of governmental power.
- color of office72%
(US, _, legal) The appearance of authority under which a public official acts.
- color of title66%
(US, _, legal) The situation where a claim to title in real estate appears valid but may be legally defective.
- legal58%
Having its basis in the law.
- illegal58%
Contrary to, forbidden, or not authorized by law, especially criminal law.