phrase

• The fact that some cases do not follow a rule proves that the rule applies in all other cases.

  ‘That is the one part where the exception proves the rule.’

  More example sentences

  • ‘Regarding the previous posting about the Washington Post OpEd, one could counter with ‘the exception proves the rule’ - wrong.’
  • ‘Those who did not, such as Desmond Tutu, were the exceptions that proved the rule.’
  • ‘His spell at Inter seems to have been the exception that proves the rule in terms of his value to a club.’