PhrasesHub

Aid and abet

    Definitions

      • to assist or support someone in the commission of a crime or wrongdoing
        Refers to the act of knowingly and willingly helping someone commit a crime, often by providing resources or encouragement

      • to encourage or assist in the perpetuation of a negative behavior or habit
        Can also refer to enabling someone's destructive behavior or actions, rather than actively participating in it

    Examples of Aid and abet

    • The police arrested both the thief and his accomplice for aiding and abetting the crime.

      In this example, the idiom "aiding and abetting" is used to describe the actions of the accomplice, who helped the thief commit the crime. The use of the idiom in this context indicates that the accomplice provided assistance or support to the thief in carrying out the criminal act.

    • The lawyer advised her client not to testify in court, as it could aide and abet the prosecution's case.

      In this example, the idiom "aiding and abetting" is used to describe the potential negative impact that the client's testimony could have on their own case. By aiding and abetting the prosecution, the client could be unintentionally providing evidence that could strengthen the opposing side's argument.

    • The politician's campaign manager was accused of aiding and abetting his candidate's violation of campaign finance laws.

      In this example, the idiom "aiding and abetting" is used to describe the actions of the campaign manager, who allegedly provided assistance or support to the candidate in violating campaign finance laws. The use of the idiom in this context indicates that the campaign manager played a role in facilitating the candidate's wrongdoing.

    • The company's executives were charged with aiding and abetting the fraud committed by their employees.

      In this example, the idiom "aiding and abetting" is used to describe the actions of the executives, who allegedly provided assistance or support to the employees in committing fraud. The use of the idiom in this context indicates that the executives were complicit in the wrongdoing and may have failed to take appropriate action to prevent it.

    • The detective suspected that the witness was aiding and abetting the real perpetrator of the crime.

      In this example, the idiom "aiding and abetting" is used to describe the suspected actions of the witness, who may have been providing assistance or support to the real perpetrator of the crime. The use of the idiom in this context indicates that the witness may have been actively involved in facilitating the criminal act.


    Conclusion

    The overarching meaning of "aid and abet" is to assist or encourage someone in a negative or harmful endeavor. This can refer to both criminal activities and negative behaviors or habits.

    Origin of "Aid and abet"

    The origin of this idiom can be traced back to English common law, specifically the Statute of Westminster 1275. This statute defined the crime of "aiding and abetting" as helping someone commit a crime, even if the person providing assistance did not personally commit the crime themselves. This concept was later incorporated into the United States legal system, and the phrase "aid and abet" became a commonly used legal term.

    Over time, the phrase began to be used more figuratively, beyond just its legal context. It can now be used to describe any type of assistance or encouragement in a negative or harmful activity or behavior, not just criminal acts. The phrase is still commonly used in legal settings, but also in everyday language to convey the idea of supporting or enabling a negative action.