keep your friends close and your enemies closer

keep your friends close and your enemies closer

Be very aware of your enemies' behavior in order to detect and avoid any malicious actions. A: "Why were you talking to Katie? I thought you hated her." B: "I'm trying to see if she has any dirt on me for the student council debate. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer, right?"
See also: and, close, enemy, friend, keep
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • get wise to (someone or something)
  • turn the knife
  • turn/twist the knife
  • twist the knife
  • be wise to (someone or something)
  • be/get wise to somebody/something
  • dine with the devil
  • sup with the devil
  • (as) black as (one) is painted
  • painted
References in periodicals archive
As it looks like her disappearance could be down to another colleague, David (played by Julian Rhind-Tutt), NCA investigator Guy (Alex Macqueen) suggests they employ him at the Lyell, working on the 'keep your friends close and your enemies closer' theory.
BEST OF THE REST
'Keep your friends close and your enemies closer', as the old adage goes.
David Moyes: Sunderland's managerial nemesis is now in charge of the Black Cats; Sunderland had a miserable record against David Moyes' sides - now they have appointed their tormentor-in-chief as their new manager
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer should be his political refrain if he intends to go the distance.
Australia: Tony Abbott cannot rest easy despite a clear majority
As the old saying goes: keep your friends close and your enemies closer - but you better keep your family right where you can see them Twenty runners up will also win a copy of the book, so get entering now!
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