pettifoggery Definition
dishonest or unethical behavior by a lawyer who uses petty or trivial objections to delay or obstruct a trial.
Using pettifoggery: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "pettifoggery" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The judge was not amused by the lawyer's pettifoggery.
Example
The opposing counsel accused him of pettifoggery.
Example
The case was delayed due to the defendant's pettifoggery.
pettifoggery Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with pettifoggery
the use of petty or unethical tactics by a lawyer to delay or obstruct a trial
Example
The judge warned the lawyer against any further legal pettifoggery.
the use of petty or unethical tactics by politicians to delay or obstruct political processes
Example
The public was outraged by the political pettifoggery that delayed the passing of the bill.
the use of petty or unethical tactics by academics to delay or obstruct academic processes
Example
The academic community was divided over the issue of academic pettifoggery.
Origins of pettifoggery
from the word 'pettifogger', meaning a lawyer who uses petty or unethical tactics
Summary: pettifoggery in Brief
'Pettifoggery' [ˈpɛtɪfɒɡəri] is a noun that refers to the dishonest or unethical behavior of a lawyer who uses petty or trivial objections to delay or obstruct a trial. It can also be used in other contexts, such as 'political pettifoggery' and 'academic pettifoggery.' Synonyms include 'chicanery' and 'deceit,' while informal equivalents are 'trickery' and 'shenanigans.'
