thông mưu
Definition
- Verb:
- To collude: To secretly plan together with others to do something illegal or harmful. This is the core meaning, implying a shared, covert scheme.
- To be in cahoots: To be involved in a secret partnership for a deceitful or underhanded purpose. This is a more informal synonym for colluding.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Hai tên tội phạm thông mưu với nhau để cướp ngân hàng. (The two criminals colluded to rob the bank.)
- Một nhân viên bên trong đã thông mưu với đối thủ cạnh tranh. (An inside employee was in cahoots with a competitor.)
Advanced Usage
- The term "thông mưu" carries a strongly negative connotation and is almost exclusively used in contexts of crime, betrayal, or unethical conspiracy. It is not used for neutral or positive collaboration.
Variants and Related Words
- Đồng mưu (v): To conspire, to be an accomplice. This is a very close synonym, often used in legal contexts.
- Hắn bị buộc tội đồng mưu giết người. (He was charged with conspiring to murder.)
Synonyms
- Collude: To conspire together.
- Conspire: To secretly plan with others to commit an unlawful act.
- Be in cahoots: To be involved in a secret agreement (informal).
- Plot: To plan secretly, especially for a harmful purpose.
Related Idioms
- While "thông mưu" itself is not typically part of a longer idiom, the concept is central to phrases like:
- "Âm mưu thông đồng": A collusive conspiracy.
- Cảnh sát phát hiện một âm mưu thông đồng nhằm thao túng giá cả. (The police uncovered a collusive conspiracy to manipulate prices.)