fraternize
Two soldiers from opposing sides secretly fraternize in a quiet forest clearing.
- Verb:
- To associate or be on friendly terms with someone in a brotherly manner: To behave in a friendly, familiar, or intimate way, often implying a crossing of social, professional, or adversarial boundaries.
- To mingle socially, especially with those considered off-limits: Often used to describe friendly interaction with members of an opposing group, such as an enemy, or between groups of different status where such mixing is discouraged.
- Verb:
- Soldiers were forbidden to fraternize with the local population.
- The manager was criticized for fraternizing with junior staff outside of work.
- After the competition, players from both teams began to fraternize.
"to fraternize with the enemy": A common phrase implying disloyal or treasonous friendly contact with an opposing side, especially in a military or highly competitive context.
- The general issued strict orders not to fraternize with the enemy under any circumstances.
Used in a disapproving or cautionary tone: The word often carries a connotation of inappropriate familiarity.
- Company policy discourages managers from fraternizing with their direct reports.
Fraternization (noun): The act or an instance of fraternizing.
- The scandal involved allegations of fraternization between officers and enlisted personnel.
Fraternal (adjective): Of or like a brother; relating to a brotherly relationship.
- They shared a fraternal bond despite not being related by blood.
- Associate: To connect or join with, often in a social context.
- Consort: To keep company; associate (can have a negative connotation).
- Mingle: To mix or cause to mix socially.
(This word is not commonly used with particles to form distinct phrasal verbs. Its meaning is typically expressed by the verb alone or with the preposition "with.")
- Fraternize with: This is the standard construction, not a separate idiom. The entire meaning is carried by the verb + preposition.
- It is unprofessional to fraternize with clients in that manner.
Two soldiers from opposing sides secretly fraternize in a quiet forest clearing.
- be on friendly terms with someone, as if with a brother, especially with an enemy