Refers to an act of ordinarily-frowned-upon nature, but which in extreme circumstances could be overlooked or even approved of. Comes from the nuns' surreptitiously ripping out the plug-wires and spark-coils from the Gestapo's cars so that they couldn't pursue the von Trapp family in "The Sound Of Music"; the emotionally-shaken-but-still-demure habit-clad heroines then ask their Mother Superior for forgiveness, which it can be assumed that she readily gives, considering the horrid fate that would likely have befallen the von Trapps had they been captured.
I needed a few additional nails to complete a super-urgent repair- project, but there was nobody at the hardware store, so I had to just take the nails without paying for them at the time. Again, though, the nailing-task had to be completed right away to avoid fairly horrendous consequences, so I felt that my action was really pretty much a Sisters of Mercy sin. Plus of course I did indeed "square up" promptly with the store afterwards, so the end-result was fine.
by QuacksO November 7, 2018