Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

honor among thieves

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.76 in modern English

Syllables: hon-or a-mong thieves
IPA

29

Scrabble Score

17

Letters

3

Syllables

12

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

Trustworthiness within a group that is not considered trustworthy by outsiders.

Uncountable

Example Sentences

"While a corrupt Chuch and untrustworthy nobles and kings scraped for power, businessmen in Italy honored pledges of businessmen from England and Scandinavia. This trust (some have called it honor among thieves) is still a hallmark of modern brokerage."
"That sounds odd here in Washington these days, but some of the old-timers still like to pretend there is honor alive among the political thieves."
"To cripple another person intentionally is to violate the same kind of code as the legendary honor among thieves. More linebackers than thieves believe this, but when it comes to politics — to a 28-year career of cheap shots, lies and thievery — there is no man in America who should understand what is happening to him now better than Richard Milhous Nixon."

Etymology

From Plato.

Usage

Uncountable

Inflected Forms

honour among thieves (alternative)

Phrases

there is no honor among thieves set a thief to catch a thief

Frequently Paired Words

set a thief to catch a thief

Questions

What does honor among thieves mean?: Trustworthiness within a group that is not considered trustworthy by outsiders.
Where does honor among thieves come from?: From Plato.

How to pronounce honor among thieves

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