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Tu quoque: meaning, pronunciation and examples

Tu quoque phrase. A reply that dodges a criticism by accusing the critic of the same fault.

How to say it

tyoo KWOH-kwee/ˌtjuː ˈkwəʊkwi/ · American /ˌtuː ˈkwoʊkwi/

3 syllables, stressed on the second (KWOH).

Tu quoque in a sentence

'You're one to talk about junk food' is a tu quoque, not a defence of crisps for breakfast.

The minister's tu quoque about the last government's spending answered nothing.

Similar and opposite

Similar:

  • whataboutism
  • counter-accusation

Where tu quoque comes from

Latin for 'you too'.

Test yourself

Which word fills the gap?

The minister's _____ about the last government's spending answered nothing.

  • straw man
  • beg the question
  • tu quoque
Show the answer

tu quoque: The minister's tu quoque about the last government's spending answered nothing.