A loophole in the law is a small mistake which allows people to do something that would otherwise be illegal.
He uses his legal knowledge to exploit loopholes in the law. [+ in]
More Synonyms of loophole
loophole in British English
(ˈluːpˌhəʊl)
noun
1.
an ambiguity, omission, etc, as in a law, by which one can avoid a penalty or responsibility
2.
a small gap or hole in a wall, esp one in a fortified wall
verb
3. (transitive)
to provide with loopholes
Word origin
C16: from loop2 + hole
loophole in American English
(ˈlupˌhoʊl)
noun
1.
a hole or narrow slit in the wall of a fort, etc., for looking or shooting through
2.
a means of escape; esp., a means of evading or escaping an obligation, enforcement of a law or contract, etc.
Word origin
loop2 + hole
Examples of 'loophole' in a sentence
loophole
A loophole in the law allows all cigar shops to have sampling rooms.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Half a million company car drivers are facing higher tax bills under government plans to close a loophole that allows employees to buy cheap vehicles.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The loophole is widely exploited.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Friends of the Earth has been accused of exploiting a legal loophole to avoid sanctions by the charity regulator over misleading claims it made about fracking.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
The very fact of their being on front pages often highlights a legal loophole.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
He also wants loopholes closed and is worried about cuts to the police force.
The Sun (2012)
It has changed the law to shut loopholes and successfully challenged many schemes in court.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Manufacturers will find that other loopholes have been closed.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The search for legal loopholes would be discouraged.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It follows claims the firm exploited loopholes to dodge paying millions in corporation tax.
The Sun (2013)
Knew the relevant legal loopholes because he wrote them.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Pay consultants will have a field day as banks scramble to find loopholes or new definitions of bonuses.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
One adviser openly admitted that he was in the business of selling products based on loopholes in the law.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
How can the loophole be closed?
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Campaigners blame the Government for loopholes in the scheme.
The Sun (2016)
Additionally, loopholes were always opened from the side.
Andy Dougan THE HUNTING OF MAN (2004)
When governments try to close the loopholes, they end up with failed regulation.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
They wanted specifics, they wanted laws and loopholes.
Christianity Today (2000)
Very often these firms say there is a legal loophole they can use so you don't pay tax.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
This constant attempt by the government to close loopholes isn't working because people simply find a way around them.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Last year the Government closed a loophole in the law to stop restaurants using service charges and tips to subsidise wages.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The case collapsed at the Old Bailey but this loophole remains open.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
There is still an army of hundreds, possibly thousands, of tax boutiques which specialise in finding loopholes in the tax code.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
It is right for the government to close tax loopholes but it needs to be careful that it doesn't discourage people from making Britain their economic centre.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
In other languages
loophole
British English: loophole NOUN
A loophole in the law is a small mistake which allows people to do something that would otherwise be illegal.
It is estimated that 60,000 businesses are exploiting a loophole in the law to avoid prosecution.
American English: loophole
Brazilian Portuguese: escapatória
Chinese: 漏洞
European Spanish: laguna
French: faille
German: Lücke
Italian: scappatoia
Japanese: 抜け穴
Korean: 허점
European Portuguese: escapatória
Latin American Spanish: laguna
Definition of 'loophole'
Chinese translation of 'loophole'
loophole
(ˈluːphəul)
n(c)
(in law) 漏洞 (lòudòng) (个(個), gè)
1 (noun)
Definition
an ambiguity or omission in the law, which enables one to evade it
They exploit some loophole in the law to avoid prosecution.
Synonyms
let-out
escape
his narrow escape from bankruptcy
excuse
It was just an excuse to get out of going to school.
plea
Evidence is being invoked in support of pleas of diminished responsibility.
avoidance
evasion
an evasion of responsibility
pretence
He claimed the police beat him up under the pretence that he was resisting arrest.
pretext
They wanted a pretext to restart the war.
He excused himself on the pretext of a stomach ache.
subterfuge
Most people can see right through that type of subterfuge.
means of escape
2 (noun)
Synonyms
opening
He squeezed through an opening in the fence.
slot
He dropped a coin in the slot and dialled.
aperture
Through the aperture he could see daylight.
knothole
Additional synonyms
in the sense of aperture
Definition
a hole or opening
Through the aperture he could see daylight.
Synonyms
opening,
space,
hole,
crack,
gap,
rent,
passage,
breach,
slot,
vent,
rift,
slit,
cleft,
eye,
chink,
fissure,
orifice,
perforation,
eyelet,
interstice
in the sense of avoidance
Synonyms
evasion,
escape,
dodging,
shunning,
eluding,
steering clear,
keeping away,
body swerve (Scottish),
circumvention
in the sense of escape
Definition
a way of avoiding something difficult, dangerous, or unpleasant
his narrow escape from bankruptcy
Synonyms
avoidance,
evasion,
circumvention,
elusion
Synonyms of 'loophole'
loophole
Explore 'loophole' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of evasion
Definition
the act of evading something, esp. a duty or responsibility, by cunning or illegal means
an evasion of responsibility
Synonyms
avoidance,
escape,
dodging,
shirking,
cop-out (slang),
circumvention,
elusion
in the sense of excuse
Definition
an explanation offered to justify an action which has been criticized or as a reason for not fulfilling an obligation, etc.
It was just an excuse to get out of going to school.
Synonyms
pretext,
evasion,
pretence,
cover-up,
expedient,
get-out,
cop-out (slang),
subterfuge
in the sense of plea
Definition
an excuse
Evidence is being invoked in support of pleas of diminished responsibility.
Synonyms
excuse,
claim,
defence,
explanation,
justification,
pretext,
vindication,
extenuation
in the sense of pretence
Definition
a pretext
He claimed the police beat him up under the pretence that he was resisting arrest.
Synonyms
pretext,
claim,
excuse,
show,
cover,
mask,
veil,
cloak,
guise,
façade,
masquerade,
semblance,
ruse,
garb,
wile
in the sense of pretext
Definition
a false reason given to hide the real one
They wanted a pretext to restart the war.He excused himself on the pretext of a stomach ache.
Synonyms
guise,
excuse,
veil,
show,
cover,
appearance,
device,
mask,
ploy,
cloak,
simulation,
pretence,
semblance,
ruse,
red herring,
alleged reason
in the sense of slot
Definition
a narrow opening or groove, such as one in a vending machine for inserting a coin
He dropped a coin in the slot and dialled.
Synonyms
opening,
hole,
groove,
vent,
slit,
aperture,
channel
in the sense of subterfuge
Definition
a trick or deception used to achieve an objective
Most people can see right through that type of subterfuge.