blanket justification

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "blanket justification" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a broad or general rationale that applies to multiple situations or cases without considering individual circumstances. Example: "The company's decision to cut costs was met with criticism, as many felt it was a blanket justification that ignored the unique challenges faced by different departments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Despite concerns over the infringement of personal liberties, and the possibility of abuse of the blanket justification for snooping for the "prevention of organised crime", the military programming law cleared its final hurdle on Wednesday after members of the Sénat, the upper house of parliament, voted by 164 to 146 on Wednesday.

The Guardian

It was never meant to be used as a blanket justification for private companies to track, measure, and catalog your every move outside of the home.

Huffington Post

Still, Matthew Harris, a University of Tennessee economics professor and the author of the second study, cautioned against using the study as a blanket justification of militarizing police forces.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

This is a blanket provision without justification.

The Guardian

"There is no justification for blanket agitation against foreigners," he said.

Independent

"EU home affairs ministers are playing into terrorists' hands by demanding 'big brother' measures entailing blanket data retention without justification.

The Guardian

More disappointingly, he references six vague GCHQ case studies as justification of blanket interception of communications moving in and out of the country.

Independent

"As abominable as the crimes in Cologne and other cities were, one thing remains clear: there is no justification for blanket agitation against foreigners," justice minister Heiko Maas said, adding that some people "appear just to have been waiting for the events of Cologne".

The Guardian

But the decision by EU interior ministers to moves towards a "database state" brought a warning from leading members of the European parliament that such "big brother measures" involving blanket data retention without justification amounted to a distraction from the actual measures needed to deal with terrorism.

The Guardian

Having a blanket ban on prisoners voting has no practical justification, and extending the vote could encourage more political interest in ensuring prisoners come out less likely to reoffend.

The Guardian - Opinion

These blanket swoops into communities and neighbourhoods without intelligence or justification, as in the case of the draconian use of Section 60, is a clear abuse and an infringement of our civil liberties.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the term "blanket justification" when you want to convey the idea that a justification is being applied widely, perhaps inappropriately, without individual consideration. This term is especially useful in discussions about policy, ethics, or law.

Common error

Avoid using "blanket justification" as a default explanation for complex issues. Instead, strive to provide specific and detailed reasoning tailored to each situation. Over-reliance on this phrase can make your arguments seem simplistic and dismissive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "blanket justification" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It typically describes a type of reasoning or explanation. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms it is used to refer to a widespread and often questionable rationale.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "blanket justification" is a noun phrase that critiques a broad or general rationale, often implying it's being inappropriately applied. According to Ludwig AI's analysis, the term is grammatically correct and most commonly found in news and media contexts. It's essential to use this phrase judiciously, being mindful of its negative connotations and considering if a more specific explanation is warranted. Related phrases include "general rationale" and "overarching rationale", though these may lack the critical edge of "blanket justification". While the term is grammatically sound, overusing it or relying on it as a substitute for detailed reasoning should be avoided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

general rationale

Focuses on the generality of the reasoning, rather than implying potential overreach or misuse as "blanket justification" sometimes does.

overarching rationale

Emphasizes that the rationale encompasses a wide range of situations or cases.

sweeping justification

Similar to "blanket", but with a slightly stronger emphasis on the breadth of the justification.

broad reasoning

A more straightforward and less formal way of expressing the concept.

universal rationale

Implies the justification applies to almost every situation without exception.

across-the-board reasoning

Highlights the equal application of the rationale to different cases or situations.

all-encompassing justification

Stresses the completeness and comprehensiveness of the justification.

comprehensive explanation

Focuses on the thoroughness of the explanation provided as justification.

catch-all reasoning

Suggests the reasoning is used to cover a variety of disparate situations.

standard justification

Emphasizes that the justification is commonly used or accepted.

FAQs

What does "blanket justification" mean?

A "blanket justification" refers to a broad or general rationale applied to multiple situations or cases without considering the unique circumstances of each. It often implies that the justification is being used too widely or inappropriately.

How can I use "blanket justification" in a sentence?

You might say, "The company's decision to lay off employees was met with criticism, as many felt the cost savings were a "blanket justification" that ignored the value of individual contributions." or "The government's surveillance program was defended using a "blanket justification" of national security."

What are some alternatives to "blanket justification"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "general rationale", "overarching rationale", or "sweeping justification" to convey a similar meaning.

Is using a "blanket justification" always a bad thing?

Not necessarily. While the term often carries a negative connotation of oversimplification or inappropriate application, a broad justification can be valid if the underlying principles are sound and the context warrants it. However, it's essential to ensure that it doesn't disregard important individual differences or ethical considerations.