fifth columnist

fifth columnist

A member of a clandestine group of people who work subversively within a group, organization, or country in order to betray it to an allied outside force. In the US during the Cold War, there was constant fear and suspicion of people supposedly working as fifth columnists to spread the influence of communism from within.
See also: fifth
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • fifth column
  • ginger group
  • member
  • paid-up member (of something)
  • a card-carrying member (of something)
  • a paid-up member, etc.
  • card-carrying member
  • be a (fully) paid-up member of something
  • be a card-carrying member (of something)
  • fully
References in periodicals archive
A fifth columnist was someone on the inside in contact with an unseen outside.
Hemingway's the fifth column, fifth columnism, and the Spanish Civil War
"Are you becoming the fifth columnist of China in this country?
JPE accuses Trillanes of working for China
I was obviously totally unaware that the BBC is some kind of corporate fifth columnist acting at the behest of the European Union and its malign intentions but when he asserts that, "Nobody can deny that its (the BBC's) political programmes are heavily biased against the leavers on the Brexit question", I am puzzled, especially when he claims that the corporation has played a "major" part in the destruction of Nigel Farage's political career.
Important to culture
Has their ranks been infiltrated by a fifth columnist? Whose interest are the members of the so-called Fifth columnists out to protect?
Who Is Afraid Of South-East Govs?
In my bleaker moments, I seriously wonder whether Theresa May is not a Fifth Columnist, working on behalf of the EU.
Shocking truth about our homeless heroes; Get in touch - tell us what you think Email: ecletters@walesonline.co.uk Twitter: @WalesOnline Facebook: facebook.com/WalesOnline Post: Media Wales, 6 Park Street, Cardiff CF10 1XR
In my bleaker moments I seriously wonder whether Theresa May is not a Fifth Columnist, working on behalf of the EU.
EU should cough up after all we've spent
GCC states, representing the region's last bastion of security are right to pull up the drawbridge on fanatics espousing cultish creeds and fifth columnist enemies of the state.
Terrorism must be vigorously purged
I am no fifth columnist. I am a North-Easterner who wants us to take this opportunity to strengthen the region's voice at Westminster and in Brussels.
Friday Forum
Today, while Spurs entertain Liverpool at White Hart Lane, Graham will again be abused by a section of supporters accusing him of being a Highbury fifth columnist and demanding "their Tottenham" back.
Football: George the dinosaur just won't fade away; TOTTENHAM v LIVERPOOL
But Sturrock was more angry about the "fifth columnist" fans.
FOOTBALL: I'LL QUIT; Sturrock threat after United go out in cup fury
If she is a fifth columnist, then she has gone above and beyond the call of duty for the Muslim Brotherhood.
Muslims have become America's new demons
That doesn't mean our PM is a fifth columnist for the Nationalists.
COMMENTARY
The terse statement, which described those behind the plot as the fifth columnist in the Presidency, read thus: 'While we do not want to believe that some agent provocateurs are planning to undermine the peace processes of the present Government when the agitation for the relocation of oil companies' head offices to the Niger Delta is still stirring the tempest.
Don't Relocate NGC/NGCMC To Abuja, Lagos, IYC Warns FG
Is that slightly shady looking bloke at No 21 a fifth columnist in the pay of the Tree and Hedge Growth squad?
Perspective: The Growth Squad are making a mountain out of a molehill
Lhc Cf DECEIVED But Cameron is saving Britain because he's a Unionist rather than an upper class Labour Fifth Columnist.
At last.. a Union Cam can support