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cahoot

IPA:

Dictionary definition of cahoot

A secret or illicit partnership or collaboration between two or more parties to achieve a particular goal.
"The business partners were in cahoots to deceive their investors."

Detailed meaning of cahoot

The term is often used to describe a situation in which two or more individuals are working together in a secretive or conspiratorial way to achieve a mutual objective, often to the detriment of others. The word 'cahoots' has a negative connotation and is usually associated with dishonest or underhanded behavior. It is often used in legal, political, or business contexts to describe illegal or unethical collusion between individuals or groups. Overall, the noun 'cahoots' connotes a sense of secrecy, conspiracy, and dishonesty, and is used to describe a situation in which two or more parties are working together for a common goal that is not transparent or above board.

Example sentences containing cahoot

1. They were suspected of being in cahoots with a rival company, sharing confidential information for mutual gain.
2. The illegal cahoot between the two businesses was finally exposed, leading to criminal charges.
3. Their intricate financial cahoot, involving offshore accounts and money laundering, raised eyebrows among investigators.
4. A political cahoot can be damaging to a politician's reputation, often resulting in scandal and public mistrust.
5. Cahoots with known criminals had serious legal consequences, leading to arrests and convictions.
6. The persistent suspicion of a cahoot between the executives lingered, casting a shadow over the company's integrity.

History and etymology of cahoot

The noun 'cahoot' has an interesting etymology that is somewhat elusive. Its precise origins are uncertain, and it is believed to have emerged in American English during the 19th century. While the exact source remains unclear, 'cahoot' is thought to have developed from a combination of various regional dialects and slang expressions, possibly influenced by French and Scottish terms. Despite its mysterious origin, 'cahoot' has come to represent a secret or illicit partnership or collaboration between two or more parties to achieve a particular goal. It conveys the idea of conspiratorial cooperation, often with a hint of secrecy or deception, and has become a part of English idiomatic usage to describe such alliances or collaborations.

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Further usage examples of cahoot

1. Investigators worked tirelessly to uncover any possible cahoots that might have influenced the outcome of the election.
2. Cahoots with competitors, even for seemingly harmless collaborations, were considered risky and potentially harmful to business interests.
3. The detective was determined to uncover their hidden cahoot, believing it was key to solving the complex case.
4. The sinister cahoot plot, involving espionage and international intrigue, slowly unraveled as more evidence came to light.
5. It's crucial to avoid questionable cahoots, as they can lead to legal trouble and damage one's reputation.
6. The corporate cahoot between the executives and a supplier was deemed unethical and sparked outrage among shareholders.
7. The alleged cahoot between the government officials and a foreign entity shocked many, prompting calls for a thorough investigation.
8. The cahoot scheme, built on deceit and fraud, finally collapsed when its perpetrators were apprehended by law enforcement.
9. Cahoots with hackers, who breached sensitive databases, were not only unethical but also illegal and punishable by law.
10. The truth about their cahoot, hidden behind layers of deception, finally emerged during the trial, leading to convictions.
11. It's essential not to get caught in cahoots with individuals involved in espionage, as it endangers national security.
12. Cahoots with foreign spies can have severe consequences, often resulting in espionage charges and imprisonment.
13. Investigators worked tirelessly to unmask the cahoot partners, believing they held the key to solving the complex case.
14. Cahoots can indeed lead to legal trouble, especially when they involve criminal activities or breach of trust.
15. The two companies were accused of being in cahoots to fix prices.
16. The politician denied being in cahoots with the lobbyists.
17. The thieves were working in cahoots to rob the bank.
18. The prosecutor suspected the defendants were in cahoots to commit the crime.
19. The police arrested two suspects for being in cahoots to sell drugs.
20. The employees were in cahoots to steal company secrets.
21. The students were in cahoots to cheat on the exam.
22. The contractors were in cahoots to overcharge for their services.
23. The competitors were in cahoots to eliminate their rival from the market.
24. The conspirators were in cahoots to overthrow the government.
25. The hackers were in cahoots to breach the company's security system.