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loophole
[loop-hohl]
noun
a means of escape or evasion; a means or opportunity of evading a rule, law, etc..
There are a number of loopholes in the tax laws whereby corporations can save money.
a small or narrow opening, as in a wall, for looking through, for admitting light and air, or, particularly in a fortification, for the discharge of missiles against an enemy outside.
an opening or aperture.
verb (used with object)
to furnish with loopholes.
loophole
/ ˈːˌəʊ /
noun
an ambiguity, omission, etc, as in a law, by which one can avoid a penalty or responsibility
a small gap or hole in a wall, esp one in a fortified wall
verb
(tr) to provide with loopholes
Word History and Origins
Origin of loophole1
Example Sentences
That imbalance, which CMS describes as a loophole, is one of the main things Republicans are trying to change.
"Child recruitment has been possible because of the existence of unprotected, abandoned and marginalised children, and legal loopholes in the Colombian justice system," Mr Mantilla said.
They believe that Glendale’s arrangement takes advantage of a loophole in state sanctuary laws that omit standing contracts.
French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau told the BBC he would close the loophole earlier this year, but the change has yet to be made.
Finance minister John Mbadi recently admitted that tax-exempt goods may be "slightly more expensive" but explained that the move was necessary to close tax loopholes.
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When To Use
A loophole is an absence or something vague in a rule or law that allows a person to avoid punishment, as in I was able to keep an alligator in my apartment thanks to a loophole in the housing rules that said only “no dogs allowed.” Loopholes often result from poor wording or vague language in a rule or law. Generally, we can expect that anything that is not specifically forbidden or illegal must be allowed. However, this expectation sometimes allows people to get around the law by not violating the exact wording of that law.For example, a law may say that no one is allowed to walk on the sidewalk after dark. People take advantage of the loophole in this law by skipping, running, or jogging on the sidewalk when it is dark. Technically, they haven’t done anything forbidden by the law so they could not be punished for it.People who write laws and contracts try to avoid potential loopholes by using very specific language. Parents often have to do the same thing to avoid their children getting around their rules.Example: The companies used a loophole in the tax code to avoid paying taxes by registering themselves as charities.
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