good-cop-bad-cop
Contrasting questioner tactics
Good-cop-bad-cop is an interrogation technique where two questioners take contrasting approaches—one friendly and sympathetic, the other aggressive and threatening—to pressure someone into cooperating or confessing.
The method relies on the subject bonding with the "good cop" as relief from the "bad cop's" hostility.
Beyond police work, the phrase describes any strategic pairing where one person plays nice while another applies pressure: They pulled a good-cop-bad-cop routine during the salary negotiation.
Planned action for advantage
- techniqueSkilled way of performing
- routineRegular sequence of actions
- gambitRisky opening for advantage
- ployCalculated deceptive tactic
ruse · approach · teamwork · duo · pairing · dynamic · role-play · playbook
Seeking answers through inquiry
- suspectBelieve to be likely
- confessionAdmission of wrongdoing
- detectiveProfessional crime investigator
- interviewFormal questioning session
coercion · pressure · admission · evidence · testimony · witness · statement · alibi
Harmonious mutual connection
- trustConfidence in another
- empathySharing another's emotions
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
- influencePower to affect others
intimidation · reassurance · fear · comfort · anxiety · relief · vulnerability · disorientation
tactic
Planned action for advantage
- techniqueSkilled way of performing
- routineRegular sequence of actions
- gambitRisky opening for advantage
ploy · ruse · approach · teamwork · duo · pairing · dynamic · role-play · playbook · choreographed
questioning
Seeking answers through inquiry
- suspectBelieve to be likely
- confessionAdmission of wrongdoing
- detectiveProfessional crime investigator
interview · coercion · pressure · admission · evidence · testimony · witness · statement · alibi · inquiry
rapport
Harmonious mutual connection
- trustConfidence in another
- empathySharing another's emotions
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
influence · intimidation · reassurance · fear · comfort · anxiety · relief · vulnerability · disorientation · compliance
contrast
Notable difference between things
- oppositesTerms with contrary meanings
- polarityState of opposing forces
- dichotomyDivision into contrasting parts
juxtaposition · balance · tension · interplay · complementarity · yin-yang · twofold · binary
good-cop-bad-copstraight shooting
Honest, direct communication
plain dealing · cards on the table · what you see is what you get · single voice · unified front
good-cop-bad-copstraightforwardness
Quality of being direct
plain dealing · candor · directness · what-you-see-is-what-you-get · keeping it real
good, goods, goodness, goodly, badness, copped, copping, copper