fifth column
2
9.8
- noun
- /ˈfɪfθ ˈkɒləm/
:
quinta columna
- During the war, authorities were concerned about the activities of a fifth column that was secretly aiding the enemy.
Examples
-
Eisenhower believed the twenty-two million overseas Chinese in Asia formed a fifth column for China.
Academic text (1998) -
Team Blue is losing, and the fifth column is circling the wagons in desperation.
Blog text (26) -
Being aware of how these people work helps combat this fifth column in our system.
Blog text (19) -
The communist party of the United States is a fifth column if there ever was one.
-
In fact, the Communists' overseas Chinese policy was much more complex than the fifth column theory suggested.
Academic text (1998) -
... that the Democratic Party isn't just un-American but is in fact leading the fifth column of anti-Americanism.
Blog text (13) -
While Dies discussed the threat of a German fifth column as well, the German language seems not to have obscured the German threat or marked German Americans to the degree that Italian did for Italian Americans.
Academic text (2003) -
"Progressive activist Vito Marcantonio claimed the bombing of Pearl Harbor had been aided by a fifth column of Japanese in the United States.
Academic text (1995) -
Hezbollah is viewed increasingly as a Shi'i force serving as a tool, if not a fifth column, of Iran with the aim of advancing a host of Iranian interests.
Academic text (2009) -
Among the targets was Telli Diallo (minister of justice and the first secretary-general of the Organization of African Unity), whom Toure accused of leading a "fifth column" to overthrow his government.
Academic text (1998)
Synonyms
32
8.9
A secret group that plans together to gain power, often in politics
6
8.9
A secret group of people who stay inactive until told to attack or spy
A group that gives money, people, and supplies to a larger violent organisation, not usually carrying out attacks
How Disloyal
- Offensive
381
3.9
2
9.8
- Offensive
18
8.1
12
8.2
37
4.8
Surface Forms
Morphology
The literal meanings of 'fifth' (an ordinal) and 'column' (a formation or architectural/support element) do not transparently yield the sense 'a hidden group supporting the enemy.' The phrase is historically and culturally specific (a coined military/ political idiom) and requires background knowledge beyond knowing the constituent words, so it would be unpredictable to a B1 learner.
Etymology
Fifth column comes from the Spanish Civil War, when a general said four attacking columns were outside a city and a hidden fifth column inside would help them. So today a fifth column means a secret group inside a country or group that 'helps the enemy'.