ENGLISH
REFERENCE

more equal

idiom
Meaning

Ostensibly equal, but more privileged in reality.


Origin

first recorded 20th c.

Coined by George Orwell in 1945; see Animal Farm quotation below.

Examples
SIMPLE

Some employees are more equal than others in this office.

CONTEXTUAL

The rules apply to everyone, but the manager acts as if he is more equal than the rest of the team.

COMPLEX

While the constitution promises fairness for all citizens, the wealthy elite often operate as if they are more equal than the common people.

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