cahoots
/kəˈhuts/
NOUN
1. Secret cooperation and collusion
A secret or dishonest arrangement in which two or more people or groups cooperate to achieve a shared objective, often by deceiving others or engaging in improper activities.
1.1. Conspiracy and dishonest collaboration
Used in the expression "in cahoots" to describe people or organizations secretly cooperating in a dishonest, fraudulent, or conspiratorial scheme.
Synonyms
- collusion
- conspiracy
- connivance
- complicity
- conspiring
- confederacy
- conspiratorial alliance
Antonyms
- honesty
- opposition
- dissociation
- disaffiliation
- separation
- estrangement
Examples
- The two companies were suspected of being in cahoots to fix prices.
- It seemed like the politicians were in cahoots with the lobbyists to push the controversial bill forward.
- The police discovered that the thieves were working in cahoots with the security guards to pull off the heist.
Related Words
- deceit
- fraud
- deception
- conspiracy
- scheme
- plot
- cover-up
- underhandedness
- dishonesty
- subterfuge
1.2. Secret partnership and cooperation
Used to describe two or more individuals or groups working closely together, often secretly, to pursue a common objective or maintain a mutual advantage.
Synonyms
- collaboration
- cooperation
- alliance
- partnership
- association
- affiliation
- liaison
- fellowship
- companionship
- league
Antonyms
- alienation
- disaffiliation
- dissociation
- disunion
- division
- estrangement
- separation
- breakup
Examples
- The siblings were always in cahoots when it came to planning pranks on their parents.
- Sarah suspected that her coworkers were in cahoots to undermine her efforts on the project.
Related Words
- alliance
- confederation
- coalition
- mutualism
- solidarity
- relationship
- connection
- affinity
- coordination
- teamwork