ganging up on
Attacking in numbers
Ganging up on someone means joining forces against them, typically in a way that feels unfair because of the numerical advantage: The other kids ganged up on him at recess.
The phrase implies coordinated hostility—whether physical confrontation, verbal attack, or social exclusion.
It can describe literal group aggression or figurative piling on: Critics ganged up on the film.
- harassingPersistently tormenting another
- picking onHarassing someone repeatedly
- mobbingCollective harassment behavior
- harriedPersistently tormented or pressured
- bullyingAggressive repeated intimidation
scapegoating · cliques · groupthink · intimidation · dominance · ostracism · mob mentality · retaliation · pile on · piling on · humiliation · ambush · exclusion · coercion · peer pressure · manipulation · sabotage · oppression
ganging up onone-on-one
Direct, between two
mano a mano · single combat · dueling · squaring off · going it alone
ganging up onrallying around
Collectively supporting someone struggling
standing up for · standing by · backing up · having someone's back · defending
ganging up onrescuing
Saving from danger
defending · shielding · looking out for · standing up for · befriending
gang, gangs, ganged, ganging, gangster, gangsters, gangland, upping