take the law on

The veteran opposition leader, who lost his fifth bid for the presidency, urged his supporters to maintain peace and not take the law on their own hands, at a media briefing in the capital.

Aunt Sonora hoped there wouldn't be nothin' did wrong, "so people could take the law on 'em."

This was not long after Miss South had left the sick woman, and they found Mrs. Rosa somewhat depressed, first at the thought that she was really going to leave the city, second by the fact that her persistent creditor had just been in and had told her that he might "take the law on her"—so she quoted him, if she did not pay the money which he found written against her name in his mother's little book.

They are only to judge of the matter of fact, and take the law on the judge's authority.

On one so poor you cannot take the law, On one so old your sword you scorn to draw.