past precedent

Frequency: 6.89.0 per million words

An earlier event or action that has already occurred and can be used as a guide.

precedentADJECTIVE + precedent

Categories:

past

Examples (10)

  • We must consider the past precedent set by similar cases.
  • The committee reviewed all past precedents before making a decision.
  • Ignoring past precedent can lead to unpredictable outcomes.
  • There is little past precedent for such an unusual situation.
  • They were careful to follow past precedent in their ruling.
  • The judge often referred to past precedent to guide his judgments.
  • Setting aside past precedent required a strong justification.
  • This decision breaks with all past precedent in our company's history.
  • Historians examine past precedents to understand current events.
  • Is there any past precedent that supports this radical proposal?