In league with: Learn what the means through example!

What does “In league with” mean?

"In league with" means working together with someone, usually for a dishonest or illegal purpose.

What context can I use the in?

Example

The corrupt politician was in league with the local crime syndicate.

Example

The two hackers were in league with each other to steal sensitive information.

Example

The drug dealer was discovered to be in league with a corrupt police officer

Is “In league with” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?

“In league with” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.

How would I use “In league with” effectively in context?

You can use "In league with" to describe a situation where two or more people are working together, often in a dishonest or illegal manner. It implies a close and secretive partnership. For example, if you suspect that two coworkers are collaborating to embezzle funds from the company, you might say, 'I think they're in league with each other.'

• 1. Crime

  The corrupt politician was in league with the local crime syndicate.

• 2. Cybersecurity

  The two hackers were in league with each other to steal sensitive information.

• 3. Corruption

  The drug dealer was discovered to be in league with a corrupt police officer.

Similar phrases to “In league with”:

Colluding with

Secretly working together, often for a dishonest or illegal purpose

Example

The employees were colluding with each other to manipulate the stock market.

Conspiring with

Planning or plotting together, often for a nefarious purpose

Example

The criminals were conspiring with each other to carry out the heist.

In cahoots with

Secretly collaborating with someone, often for a dishonest or illegal purpose

Example

The corrupt official was in cahoots with the contractor to rig the bidding process.

Good things to know:

Where does the phrase “In league with” come from?

The origin of the phrase "In league with" is unknown.

Is “In league with” common in everyday conversation?

Yes, "In league with" is a commonly used idiom in everyday conversation. It is often used to describe situations involving collaboration for dishonest or illegal purposes.

What tone does “In league with” have?

"In league with" conveys a tone of suspicion and disapproval. It suggests a secretive and untrustworthy partnership.

Can “In league with” be used in informal and formal settings?

The phrase "in league with" is more commonly used in informal conversations. It may not be as frequently used in formal settings, such as professional or academic contexts.

Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?

It is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'The two hackers were in league with each other.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'They're in league with each other!' to imply a suspicious partnership.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

• partners in crime
• working hand in glove
• in collusion with
• in conspiracy with

Antonyms

• against
• opposed to
• at odds with
• in conflict with