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The same law - two different practices/interpretations - idiom needed

English translation: To have double standards

07:50 Mar 11, 2021
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Art/Literary - Journalism
English term or phrase: The same law - two different practices/interpretations - idiom needed
Hi, everyone!

I am translating a text about unequal treatment under the same law. I am looking for an idiom to express that.
The point is that the same law is applied differently and two subjects are treated in a different way.

The text is part of a journlist investigation.

Thanks in advance!
Empty Whiskey Glass
Local time: 03:51
Selected answer:To have double standards
Explanation:
Depending on the context, you can say there are double standards on how different subjects are treated.
Selected response from:

Luana Roque
Brazil
Local time: 21:51
Grading comment
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
5 +3To have double standards
Luana Roque
4sentencing disparity under the law
Yvonne Gallagher
3but some are more equal than others
Hilary McGrath
3six of one, half a dozen of the other
Orkoyen (X)
3Raw deal
Caroline Varella Gonsioroski
2in more ways than one
mike23


Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


42 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 2/5Answerer confidence 2/5
the same law - two different practices/interpretations - idiom needed
in more ways than one


Explanation:
(interpreted/viewd) in more ways than one / in more than one way

The law(s) can be interpreted in more than one way/in a number of ways/in different ways.

I understand you need a headline or a catchy phrase.
---

There is another idiom: there's more than one way to skin a cat
But this one puts emphasis the number of possible ways of achieving something.

mike23
Poland
Local time: 02:51
Native speaker of: Native in PolishPolish
PRO pts in category: 4
Notes to answerer
Asker: Indeed, a catchy phrase is what I am looking for.

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43 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
the same law - two different practices/interpretations - idiom needed
but some are more equal than others


Explanation:
I wonder if you could use part of the George Orwell quote: All animals are created equal but some are more equal than others (I'm not sure 'animals' will sit well in your text)

Hilary McGrath
France
Local time: 02:51
Native speaker of: English
Notes to answerer
Asker: Orwell is a perfect suggestion! However, there is the issue with the context.

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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +3
the same law - two different practices/interpretations - idiom needed
To have double standards


Explanation:
Depending on the context, you can say there are double standards on how different subjects are treated.

Luana Roque
Brazil
Local time: 21:51
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in PortuguesePortuguese
PRO pts in category: 4

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Hilary McGrath: Good solution
1 hr
agree  Daryo
3 hrs
agree  Cilian O'Tuama: Yvonne is mistaken IMO. This is fine in a legal context. "A double standard may arise if two or more groups who have equal legal rights are given different degrees of legal protection or representation." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_standard
14 hrs
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5 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
the same law - two different practices/interpretations - idiom needed
sentencing disparity under the law


Explanation:
or less formally

same law - different outcomes

(or sentences for different people)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sentencing_disparity

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 5 hrs (2021-03-11 12:57:55 GMT)
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same law - two different outcomes

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 5 hrs (2021-03-11 12:58:55 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

or

one law - two different outcomes

Yvonne Gallagher
Ireland
Local time: 01:51
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Cilian O'Tuama: Your wiki reference also says: Lawyers who uphold such unfair principles within the legal system are sometimes designated with pejorative terms such as DOUBLE STANDARDist.//Wow, talk about overreacting! Which part offended you? No need to get personal.
10 hrs
  -> Go troll somewhere else< This is about JUDGEMENTS and OUTCOMES not lawyers or standards
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
six of one, half a dozen of the other


Explanation:
When two alternatives are six of one, half a dozen of the other, it does not matter which alternative you choose-the outcome will be the same. The expression comes from the fact that half a dozen is an expression that means six.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2021-03-11 09:48:31 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

redo of the URL: https://grammarist.com/idiom/six-of-one-half-a-dozen-of-the-...

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Note added at 5 hrs (2021-03-11 13:09:49 GMT)
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If one is given 3/4 advantage? Sense it's a law question, a couple of suggestions: "scales are tipped in favor of" or "carries more weight"

Example sentence(s):
  • https://grammarist.com/idiom/six-of-one-half-a-dozen-of-the-other/
Orkoyen (X)
United States
Local time: 20:51
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks! However, I am looking for the opposite, when one is given 3/4 of a dozen and another - 1/4 :)

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1 day 1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
Raw deal


Explanation:
This could be another option. It means 'unfair treatment' although not 'between two people'.

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Note added at 1 day 1 hr (2021-03-12 09:44:05 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

An instance of unfair or harsh treatment, as in After 25 years with the bank Bob got a raw deal—no pension, no retirement benefits of any kind, just a gold watch.

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Note added at 1 day 1 hr (2021-03-12 09:45:45 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

He said that many children in the city's schools were getting/being given a raw deal by being taught in classes that were too large.


    https://books.google.ie/books?id=T_OSBAAAQBAJ&pg=PT18&lpg=PT18&dq=idiom+for+treatment+unfair+OR+or+OR+unequal+--+-definition+--+-word+--+-wo
Caroline Varella Gonsioroski
Ireland
Local time: 01:51
Native speaker of: Portuguese
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