(As) thick as thieves

Definitions

• close friends
  To describe a very close and strong friendship or bond between two people

• secretive or conspiratorial
  To describe a group of people who are very secretive and work closely together, often with a negative connotation

Examples of (As) thick as thieves

• The two best friends, Andrew and Michael, have been thick as thieves ever since they met in high school. They share everything with each other, from secrets to belongings, and are inseparable.

  The idiom "thick as thieves" means extremely close friends, like thieves who plan a crime together. This idiom is often used to describe a bond between people who share a strong connection and are very intimate with each other. It implies that the friends are close-knit, loyal, and trustworthy, as if they are complicit in some secret activity. The use of this idiom in the example above illustrates the strong friendship between Andrew and Michael, implying that their bond is as tight as that between two conspirators.

• After years of being estranged, the siblings have become thick as thieves again. They have put aside their differences and have been seen hanging out and doing everything together lately.

  The phrase "thick as thieves" is also used to indicate a rekindling of an old friendship, or the restoration of a previous close bond between people. In this example, the siblings' reconciled relationship is being compared to the bond between thieves, who depend on each other for survival and success in their criminal activities. This idiom is used to emphasize the strength of the bond that the siblings have regained, highlighting their renewed intimacy and closeness.

• The two conspirators planned their heist with military-grade secrecy, making sure not to leave any traces behind as they were thick as thieves.

  The idiom "thick as thieves" is often used in the context of criminal activities, referring to the close-knit relationships that form between criminals who cooperate in executing a criminal act. In this example, the friendships between the criminals have developed to an extent that they are as devoted and devotedly committed to each other as thieves in executing their heist, making sure not to draw attention to their secretive operation by covering all their tracks.

• Though they were thick as thieves, the mates betrayed each other in the end, leaving behind a trail of hurt and resentment.

  The idiom "thick as thieves" may also have a negative connotation at times, implying that the bond between two people could develop into something sinister or treacherous. This example shows that the relationship between the mates was so close that they could have been compared to thieves working together, intending to achieve something nefarious. However, the bond eventually deteriorated, revealing the darker side of their relationship, as they betrayed one another in the end, leaving a trail of hurt and resentment in their wake. This example highlights that the idiom "thick as thieves" is not always indicative of benevolent relationships.

• Emily and Sarah are as thick as thieves ever since they started working together.

  This idiom means that Emily and Sarah are very close friends or colleagues. The expression "as thick as thieves" is used to describe two people who are extremely loyal and trustworthy to one another, just like thieves who depend on each other during a crime.

• My younger siblings are thick as thieves, and it's almost impossible to separate them.

  This example shows how the idiom can be used to describe siblings who are very close to each other, to the point where they seem like they're planning something together.

• After years of working in the same company, Jane and Tom have become thick as thieves, and it's evident in the way they collaborate on projects.

  This example is a little more specific, highlighting how two co-workers can become so close that they work together seamlessly, just like thieves who depend on each other for success in their criminal endeavors.

• The two best friends, Maria and Juan, have been thick as thieves since they were kids.

  This is a classic example of the idiom, emphasizing the strong bond between two individuals who have been close friends for a long time. Using "thick as thieves" helps to convey the depth of their relationship and the level of trust and loyalty they have for one another.

Conclusion

The idiom "thick as thieves" can be used to describe a close and strong friendship between two people, as well as a secretive or conspiratorial group of people who work closely together. It can be used in both positive and negative contexts, depending on the specific situation.

Origin of "(As) thick as thieves"

The origin of the idiom "thick as thieves" can be traced back to the 19th century. The word "thick" has long been used to mean "closely packed together" or "intimate," while "thieves" refers to people who engage in illegal activities together. When combined, the phrase "thick as thieves" originally referred to a close and secretive relationship between individuals engaged in criminal activities. Over time, the meaning of the idiom has evolved to encompass any close and secretive relationship, whether positive or negative in nature.

One possible origin of the idiom comes from the idea that thieves would need to be very close and trust each other completely in order to successfully carry out criminal activities. This close bond and trust between thieves led to the expression "thick as thieves" to describe any similarly close relationship. Another possible origin could be from the notion that thieves would often share in the spoils of their illegal activities, further strengthening their bond and closeness. Regardless of its exact origin, the idiom "thick as thieves" continues to be widely used in the English language today.