Definition

1. Verb:
   • To be in cahoots with: To be secretly involved with someone, typically for a dishonest or illicit purpose. It implies a conspiratorial or underhanded association.
   • To have a secret liaison/connection: To be linked or associated with someone in a covert or questionable manner.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Hai công ty đó bị nghi ngờ ngoắc ngoặc với nhau để thao túng giá thầu. (Those two companies are suspected of being in cahoots to manipulate the bidding price.)
  • Hắn ta có vẻ đang ngoắc ngoặc với một nhóm người lạ mặt. (He seems to be in cahoots with a group of strangers.)

Advanced Usage

• The term often carries a strong negative connotation, suggesting collusion, conspiracy, or shady dealings. It is not used for neutral or positive partnerships.

Variants and Related Words

• Thông đồng (v): to collude, to conspire. This is a more formal synonym.
  • Bọn chúng thông đồng để lừa đảo. (They colluded to commit fraud.)

Synonyms

• Collude: To cooperate in a secret or unlawful way.
• Conspire: To make secret plans jointly to commit an unlawful or harmful act.
• Be in league with: To be working together secretly.

Related Idioms

• Có dây mơ rễ má: To have hidden connections or ties. This idiom shares the concept of a secretive or underlying relationship but is broader in application.
  • Họ không phải đối thủ bình thường, họ có dây mơ rễ má với nhau. (They are not ordinary rivals; they have hidden connections with each other.)

1. Be in cahoots with