ganged up on
Attacked in numbers
To gang up on someone is to join forces against them, typically in a way that feels unfair because of the numbers: The other kids ganged up on him at recess.
The phrase implies coordinated hostility—whether physical confrontation, verbal attack, or social exclusion.
I felt ganged up on when everyone criticized my proposal at once.
- set uponAttack aggressively
- attackingActively engaging offensively
- mobbedCrowded around aggressively
- harassedPersistently tormented
- bulliedRepeatedly mistreated by aggressors
picked on · outnumbered · overpowered · pack mentality · scapegoating · thrown under the bus · teased · mob mentality · helplessness · easy target · antagonizing · intimidation · vulnerability · coalition · targeting · ambushed · conspirators · alliance
ganged up onisolated
Separated from others
alone · singled out · independent · solo · unaccompanied
ganged up onone-on-one
Direct, between two
level playing field · mano a mano · single combat · even odds · dueled
ganged up onrallied around
United to support
defended · backed up · supported · protected · had someone's back