What does “Set a thief to catch a thief” mean?
"Set a thief to catch a thief" means using someone with the same skills or knowledge as a criminal to catch another criminal.
What context can I use the in?
Example
The police decided to set a thief to catch a thief in order to solve the case.
Example
They hired a former hacker to set a thief to catch a thief and track down the cybercriminal.
Example
The undercover agent was trained to set a thief to catch a thief and infiltrate the criminal organization
Is “Set a thief to catch a thief” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Set a thief to catch a thief” 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 “Set a thief to catch a thief” effectively in context?
You can use "Set a thief to catch a thief" when you want to suggest using someone with the same qualities or expertise as a criminal to catch or identify the criminal. It implies that someone who is familiar with a certain activity or behavior can easily recognize it and expose it in others. For example, if a friend is struggling to identify the source of a problem in their business, you might say, 'Why not set a thief to catch a thief? Hire someone who has experience in that area to help you find the culprit.'
- 1Crime Investigation
The detective decided to set a thief to catch a thief by hiring an ex-convict to help solve the case.
- 2Art Security
In order to catch the notorious art thief, the museum hired a former art thief as a security consultant, following the principle of setting a thief to catch a thief.
- 3Cybersecurity
The cybersecurity company employed a hacker to test their system's vulnerabilities, believing in the concept of setting a thief to catch a thief.
Similar phrases to “Set a thief to catch a thief”:
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Set a thief to catch a thief” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Set a thief to catch a thief" is unknown.
Is “Set a thief to catch a thief” common in everyday conversation?
The phrase "Set a thief to catch a thief" is not as common in everyday conversation as some other proverbs, but it is still known and used in certain contexts, especially in discussions related to crime, security, or investigations.
What tone does “Set a thief to catch a thief” have?
"Set a thief to catch a thief" conveys a tone of strategic thinking and using unconventional methods to achieve a goal. It suggests a practical approach to solving problems by leveraging the knowledge and experience of individuals who have engaged in similar activities.
Can “Set a thief to catch a thief” be used in informal and formal settings?
The phrase "Set a thief to catch a thief" is generally considered formal and may be more commonly used in professional or specialized settings, such as law enforcement, security, or investigative fields. However, it can still be used in informal conversations to convey the idea of using someone's expertise to solve a problem.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
The phrase "Set a thief to catch a thief" is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'They decided to set a thief to catch a thief and hired an expert in the field.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Why not set a thief to catch a thief?' to suggest the idea of using someone with relevant experience to solve a problem.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- use a criminal to catch a criminal
- employ an expert to catch an expert
- leverage insider knowledge
- utilize someone's expertise
- turn the tables on the thief
Antonyms
- honesty is the best policy
- two wrongs don't make a right
- play by the rules
- trustworthy methods
- conventional investigation
