gang up
Attack in numbers
To gang up is to join forces against someone, typically in a way that feels unfair because of the numerical advantage: The other kids ganged up on him at recess.
The phrase suggests coordinated hostility—multiple people targeting one: She felt like everyone was ganging up on her during the meeting.
- colludeSecretly cooperate to deceive
- mobbingCollective harassment behavior
- conspirePlot secretly with others
- mob mentalityCollective irrationality in groups
- wolf packGroup of wild canines
pile on · single out · unite · outnumber · bullying · corner · band together · close ranks · group · turn against · throw under the bus · dogpile · target · join forces · overwhelm · scapegoat · ally · strength in numbers
- mob attackswarm, mob, pile on, dogpile, overwhelm
- prison slangshank, shiv, yard, cellie, commissary
- game tacticsstrategy, tactics, positioning, decision making, counterplay
- intimidationthreats, threatening, menacing, intimidate, bullying
gang uprally around
Collectively support someone
stand up for · support · defend · protect · back up
gang upscatter
Distribute in random directions
disperse · split up · go separate ways · disband · break apart
up, gang, gangs, ganging, gangway, gangling, ganged, gangplank, ganged up