on a technicality

Frequency: 7.814.2 per million words

Because of a minor point or rule, often in a legal context.

technicalityPREPOSITION + NOUN

Categories:

on a

Examples (10)

  • The court was forced to release him on a technicality.
  • The defense attorney argued successfully, and the charges were dismissed on a technicality.
  • Despite overwhelming evidence, the suspect walked free on a technicality.
  • The team lost the championship game on a minor technicality, not on skill.
  • His excellent proposal was rejected on a mere technicality in the application process.
  • She managed to win the debate on a clever technicality, not necessarily the strength of her argument.
  • The judge reluctantly overturned the conviction on a procedural technicality.
  • Many feel that justice was not served when the criminal was acquitted on a technicality.
  • We nearly missed the deadline, but we submitted it just in time on a tiny technicality.
  • The referee's decision to disallow the goal on a questionable technicality angered the fans.