Definition

1. Adjective:
   • United in effort as if in a league: Describes a state where two or more parties are secretly cooperating, often for a dishonest or conspiratorial purpose. It implies a partnership or alliance, typically one that is hidden or improper.

Usage

The phrase "in league" is almost always followed by the preposition "with" to specify the other party involved in the alliance. It is used to describe a secretive or illicit partnership.

Examples

• Adjective:
  • The investigation revealed that several politicians were in league with the corrupt lobbyists.
  • I suspect those two companies are in league; their actions are too coordinated to be coincidental.
  • He was accused of being in league with the enemy.

Advanced Usage

• "to be in league with the devil": A common hyperbolic idiom meaning to be allied with an evil force or to be involved in something profoundly wicked.
  • The villain in the story was portrayed as being in league with the devil.

Variants and Related Words

• League (n): An association or alliance for mutual benefit or common action. This is the noun from which the phrase originates.
  • The nations formed a defensive league.

Synonyms

• In cahoots (with): Colloquial synonym for secretly cooperating, often for a shady purpose.
• In collusion (with): More formal term, specifically implying secret agreement for fraud or deceit.
• Allied (with): A more neutral term for being joined in an association.

Related Idioms

• To be hand in glove with someone: To be in very close association or cooperation with someone, often secretly.
  • The corrupt official was hand in glove with the smugglers.

Adjective

1. (usually followed by `with') united in effort as if in a league
   • they found out that some policemen were in league with the criminals