conspiracy
Related to conspiracy: conspiracy theory
conspiracy of silence
An agreement, either explicit or unspoken, among members of a group to keep secret certain information that, if exposed, could be damaging to the group, its interests, or its associates. Knowing that public knowledge of their imminent takeover by the rival company could jeopardize their continued employment thereafter, the board of directors agreed to a strict conspiracy of silence until the deal was finalized. The doctors in the hospital were engaged in a tacit conspiracy of silence, as each knew that bringing to light their colleague's misbehavior could end up damaging their own reputations in the process.
See also: conspiracy, of, silence
conspiracy to commit murder
In law, an offense marked by an agreement or contract one makes with or among others to murder someone else. The emails between himself and the other suspects gave the prosecution enough evidence to charge them all with conspiracy to commit murder.
See also: commit, conspiracy, murder
conspiracy to murder
In law, an offense marked by an agreement or contract one makes with or among others to murder someone else. Primarily heard in UK, Ireland. The emails between himself and the other suspects gave the prosecution enough evidence to charge them all with conspiracy to murder.
See also: conspiracy, murder
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
conspiracy of silence
A tacit or explicit agreement to keep something secret. For example, In this state's medical society there is a conspiracy of silence regarding incompetent practitioners . This term was first used as a complaint about lack of attention, but today it more often refers to remaining silent about something unfavorable or criminal. [Late 1800s]
See also: conspiracy, of, silence
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
a conspiracy of silence
If there is a conspiracy of silence, people who know about something have agreed that they will not tell anyone about it. Detectives have run into a conspiracy of silence in the close communities here.
See also: conspiracy, of, silence
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
a conspiracy of silence
an agreement to say nothing about an issue that should be generally known.This expression appears to have originated with the French philosopher Auguste Comte ( 1798–1857 ).
See also: conspiracy, of, silence
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
a conˌspiracy of ˈsilence
an agreement not to talk publicly about something which should not remain secret: As no one was ever convicted of the murders, it is widely believed that there may have been a conspiracy of silence maintained by the victims’ friends and families.See also: conspiracy, of, silence
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
conspiracy of silence
An agreement, either tacit or explicit, to disclose nothing about an individual or situation. The term nearly always refers to disclosing something unfavorable, or even criminal. For example, physicians often have been accused of protecting an incompetent member of their profession by keeping quiet. Dating from the late nineteenth century, the term at first was used by individuals complaining of lack of attention. The poet Lewis Morris reportedly complained to Oscar Wilde that a conspiracy of silence prevented his works from being reviewed and asked what he should do, whereupon Wilde replied, “Join it.”
See also: conspiracy, of, silence
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- conspiracy of silence
- a conspiracy of silence
- ginger group
- Mr Big
- Mr. Big
- the lunatic fringe
- lunatic
- lunatic fringe
- lunatic fringe, the
- be in with (someone)