Partners in Crime

And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.

On this program, we explore words and expressions in the English language. We give examples and notes on usage.

Do you have a friend, co-worker, or family member who you are very close with? Do you often work on projects or activities with that person? If so, the two of you could be called partners in crime.

And those projects or activities are not even illegal!

Partners in crime is an expression that describes two or more people who are very close to each other. But more than being close, they are usually involved in playful or adventurous activities. Even though the expression has the word “crime,” the activities are more often than not legal ones.

Originally the expression may have described actual criminals. But today, it does not. It is a fun, light-hearted way to describe close friends who may be involved in some kind of mischief. Not surprisingly, the expression is often used in mystery stories, films, and television shows.

The most famous example is Partners in Crime, a collection of short stories by Agatha Christie published in 1929. The stories were turned into a radio broadcast and then a television program.

A less popular example is the television show Partners in Crime from 1984 in the U.S., starring Lynda Carter and Loni Anderson.

Besides partners in crime, we also have a similar expression, thick as thieves, to describe very close friends who share information and secrets.

Now, let’s talk about some more words that are similar or related to partners in crime.

Someone who is your partner in crime can also be called your sidekick. A sidekick is someone who is usually by your side.

If your sidekick is helping you in a social situation, like meeting members of the opposite sex, then we can call them a wingman or wingwoman. In airplane talk, a wingman is a pilot who flies his aircraft behind the leading pilot.

There are other more formal, or official, words to describe a partner in crime, such as collaborator or accomplice.

Although, you may want to be careful when using the word “accomplice.” When talking about a real crime, an accomplice is a person who helps others do something illegal.

Now, let’s hear this expression used in a couple of examples.

In the first one, two friends talk about a great party.

A: "How did you manage to throw such a great party? You thought of everything!"

B: "I couldn't have done it without my partner in crime – Emma! Where is she, anyway?"

A: Emma, your party collaborator is on the karaoke machine and is about to start the singing contest.

B: Atta girl, Emma!

Next, let’s hear this expression used in a work situation.

A: Are Michael and Evan working on another project together?

B: They are.

A: Those two have been partners in crime ever since they started working together.

B: You’re right. And it’s a good thing for us. They are a great team and collaborate really well together.

And that’s all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories.

Until next time, I’m Anna Matteo.

Anna Matteo wrote this lesson for VOA Learning English.

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Words in This Story

mischief – n. action that annoys or irritates

sidekick – n. a person closely associated with another as a subordinate or partner : one who is another's pal, partner, or helper

collaborator – n. someone who works with another person or group

accomplice – n. one associated with another especially in wrongdoing