honours

honours
   honour
   British
   a system whereby politicians reward supporters and discourage dissidents
   Although nominally under royal patronage, those chosen for inclusion are selected by government on populist or political grounds, an honour being the reward or bribe:
    ... allegations that he had received financial benefits from... a London solicitor whom he subsequently recommended for an honour. (Sunday Telegraph, 10 June 2001)
    They certainly wouldn't bother to ingratiate themselves with royalty if they knew how the Honours system actually operates. (A. Clark, 1993 — fawning businessmen were at a meeting attended by the Prince of Wales)
   For acts of bravery, some honour is still attached to an award:
    Before I had time to congratulate him on his Honour he hurried away. (Ranfurly, 1994, diary entry of 2 January 1942 — David Stirling had been awarded a medal for bravery)

How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms. . 2014.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • honours — n. A university degree with honors; a term used in Great Britain. [Brit.] Syn: honours degree. [WordNet 1.5] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • honours — [plural] (UK ► a level of university qualification that is a higher standard than the basic level: »an honours degree »to graduate with honours Main Entry: ↑honour …   Financial and business terms

  • honours — a course of degree studies more specialized than for an ordinary pass. → honour honours a special distinction for proficiency in an examination. → honour honours possession of at least four of these cards in the trump suit, or of all four aces in …   English new terms dictionary

  • honours — Twice a year several hundred British people who have distinguished themselves in some way receive a variety of honours. A few are given life peerages, some are made knights, and many others are given lesser awards. The honours lists are published …   Universalium

  • honours — UK [ˈɒnə(r)z] / US [ˈɑnərz] noun [plural] 1) a level of university degree that is higher than an ordinary degree first class/second class honours (= the highest or second highest level of degree): She gained first class honours in Modern… …   English dictionary

  • honours — noun a university degree with honors • Syn: ↑honours degree • Regions: ↑United Kingdom, ↑UK, ↑U.K., ↑Britain, ↑United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, ↑Great Britain …   Useful english dictionary

  • honours lists — ➡ honours * * * …   Universalium

  • honours degree — honours de.gree n a British university degree that is above the basic level in one or two particular subjects first/second/third class honours degree joint honours degree (=a degree in two main subjects) …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • honours list — honours lists N COUNT: usu the N in sing, oft supp N In Britain, the honours list is the list of people who have been selected to receive titles or awards from the Queen because of their achievements. He has been made an MBE in the New Year… …   English dictionary

  • honours easy — Honours evenly divided (at cards, etc) • • • Main Entry: ↑easy honours easy see under ↑ease • • • Main Entry: ↑honour …   Useful english dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”