special pleading
/ˌspeʃəl ˈpliːdɪŋ/
applying standards to others that you exempt yourself from
special pleading in a sentence
“Rules are rules—except when they inconvenience me.”
Origin of special pleading
From legal pleading for special treatment
Related Words
cherry picking
selecting only evidence that supports your conclusion
quoting out of context
distorting meaning by removing surrounding context
motte and bailey
retreating to a defensible claim when challenged, then advancing again
straw man
misrepresenting an argument to make it easier to attack
steel man
strengthening an opponent's argument before refuting it
moving the goalposts
changing the criteria for proof after they're met