CEFR B2

goon squad

noun phrase

Meaning

A group of aggressive or violent individuals hired to intimidate or harm others, often used by employers against workers or by criminal organizations.

Examples

The company was accused of hiring a goon squad to break up the protest.
He was threatened by a goon squad when he refused to pay the protection money.

Synonyms: thugs, henchmen, enforcers, muscle

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goon squad (B2)

noun phrase

Pronunciation: /ˈɡuːn skwɒd/

Definition

A group of aggressive or violent individuals hired to intimidate or harm others, often used by employers against workers or by criminal organizations.

Examples

The company was accused of hiring a goon squad to break up the protest.
He was threatened by a goon squad when he refused to pay the protection money.

How to Use goon squad

hire a goon squad (collocation): To employ a group of violent individuals. — "The landlord decided to hire a goon squad to evict the tenants."
a goon squad (collocation): Referring to a specific group of thugs. — "The union leaders were warned about the goon squad watching the picket line."
send in a goon squad (collocation): To dispatch a group of violent individuals. — "The corrupt official threatened to send in a goon squad if his demands were not met."

Synonyms of goon squad

Words with a similar meaning to goon squad:

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