Collude
Verb
Definition: To cooperate in a secret or unlawful way in order to deceive or gain an advantage over others.
Synonyms: Conspire, Plot, Scheme
Antonyms: Cooperate, Collaborate, Work together
- The two companies colluded to fix prices in the market.
- The politicians were found guilty of colluding with foreign powers to manipulate the election.
- Think of the "co-" prefix indicating cooperation, and "lud-" sounding like "lude," which represents a secret or hidden activity.
Etymology:
The word "collude" originated from the Latin word "colludere," which means "to play together in secret." It was formed by combining the prefix "com-" (meaning "together") and "ludere" (meaning "to play").
Historical Usage:The term has been used in English since the late 16th century and has primarily referred to secret agreements or collaboration for deceitful or illegal purposes.
Related Idioms:
"Collude with the enemy"
Explanation:This phrase refers to cooperating with an adversary, often used in discussions related to espionage, war, or treason.
Misconceptions:
Confusing "collude" with "conclude."
Explanation:Although the words may sound similar, "collude" and "conclude" have different meanings. "Collude" refers to secret cooperation for deceitful purposes, while "conclude" means to bring something to an end or reach a decision.