usual suspects
First to question
The usual suspects are the predictable people or things routinely blamed, questioned, or considered when something happens.
From police lineups of known criminals brought in for questioning, the phrase now applies broadly: When the printer jams, I check the usual suspects—paper quality, toner, the feed tray.
It suggests a familiar cast of likely culprits or candidates.
Those who commit wrongs
- offendersThose who commit wrongs
- criminalsLawbreakers by act
- accusedCharged with wrongdoing
- defendantsThose facing prosecution
indicted · conspirators · coconspirators · accessories · ringleaders · masterminds · accomplices · roundup
perpetrators
Those who commit wrongs
defendants · indicted · conspirators · coconspirators · accessories · ringleaders · masterminds · accomplices · roundup · lineup
regulars
Habitual visitors
- staplesSmall metal paper-binders
- mainstaysPrincipal supporting elements
- standbysReliable fallback options
usuals · go-tos · defaults · reliables · fixtures · constants · classics · standards · expected · same old
usual suspectsunknown quantities
Unidentified values in equations
dark horses · wild cards · new faces · curveballs · newcomers
usual suspectsabove suspicion
Immune to accusation
pillars of the community · beyond reproach · innocent bystanders