Bar Prep Palindromes: “Bar Grab,” “Borrow or Rob,” and “Evil Live”

Today is a special kind of symmetry: 5-20-25, a date that reads the same forward and backward. It’s a reminder that patterns are everywhere—yes, even in law school and bar prep.

So to mark this palindrome day, here are three short, quirky bar exam–themed palindromes that actually say a lot about where you might be right now in your studies.

📚 “Bar Grab”

Let this be your gentle reminder: this is the season to reach out and grab the bar—not just figuratively, but actively. Show up for your study sessions. Stick to your plan. Make use of the resources and people around you.

Think of “Bar Grab” as a mindset:

• You're not passively hoping to pass.

• You're actively preparing to succeed.

Every multiple-choice set you finish, every essay you outline, every concept you review—it’s all part of grabbing that passing score.

⚖️ “Borrow or Rob”

This one brings to mind the core of criminal law distinctions. Bar questions love to test your ability to spot the difference between:

• Borrowing with intent to return, and

• Robbing with intent to deprive.

It’s a quick shorthand that reminds you to dig into intent and circumstances—the key pieces in distinguishing larceny, robbery, embezzlement, false pretenses, larceny by trick, and no crime.

Next time you hit a criminal law question, ask yourself:

“Did the defendant take the property with intent to return it—or did the defendant take it with intent to permanently deprive the owner?”

🧠 “Evil Live”

This palindrome brings to mind the concept of bad-faith actors—those who exploit legal rules or relationships with malicious intent.

Whether it's a trustee breaching a fiduciary duty, an insurer denying a valid claim without basis, or a defendant acting with malice, bad faith shows up in multiple areas of law.

One dramatic example? The Slayer Statute—a law in many jurisdictions that prevents someone who unlawfully kills another from inheriting under the victim’s will or through intestacy. Why? Because even in probate, evil shouldn’t live off the results of wrongdoing.

Let this palindrome be a reminder: the law isn’t always about rules—sometimes it’s about fairness. And bad-faith conduct, even if technically clever, is rarely rewarded.

Final Thoughts

Palindrome dates like 5-20-25 don’t come around often. But moments of reflection—where you step back, regroup, and realign your mindset—should.

These short palindromes offer more than symmetry. They offer structure:

• Take control of your prep (“Bar Grab”).

• Spot the details that define legal distinctions (“Borrow or Rob”).

• Remember the bigger picture of justice and intent (“Evil Live”).

Keep moving forward—even if today reads the same both ways.