a common crook

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a common crook" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is frequently involved in criminal activities or dishonest behavior. Example: "The police were on the lookout for a common crook who had been stealing from local shops."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

A common crook!

The New Yorker

"They called her a traitor … a petty capitalist … a common crook," Vargas Llosa recalled, but she never wavered.

The New Yorker

Until it is crystal clear that white-collar criminals will be prosecuted and punished in the same way as a common crook who robs you on the street, it will be business as usual.

The New York Times

Nor was there a single figure, in Britain, against whom pent-up resentment, pointed either backward or forward, could be unleashed: no President Obama (the covert accusation being, "You really think you can put an African-American in charge, for eight years, and get away with it?"), and, needless to say, no Hillary Clinton to be treated like a medieval sorceress or a common crook ("Lock her up").

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

But an increasingly large number of Level-two criminals are slipping through, partly because they are too large to be caught by the neighbourhood coppers and too small to interest the national agencies.Small police forces have a particularly difficult time catching them and, in trying to do so, they take their eyes off the common crooks.

The Economist

Still, besides their diagnostic set of 10 cysteines, the primary sequences of Bou, Coiled, Crooked and Crimpled are remarkably different, making impossible to predict a common molecular role.

Plosone

"You're a schemer and a crook.

The New Yorker

"A crook is a crook," he said.

Los Angeles Times

"I am not a crook," he told the Commons when the affair blew up in January.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nobody knows a crook like a crook.

The New Yorker

Is Basile a crook or a saint?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a common crook", ensure the context clarifies the specific type of crime or dishonest behavior involved to provide a clearer picture.

Common error

Avoid using "a common crook" when referring to complex white-collar crimes. This phrase is best suited for describing petty crimes or easily understandable offenses.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a common crook" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies an individual characterized by petty or typical criminal behavior. Ludwig confirms its straightforward grammatical role.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a common crook" is a noun phrase used to describe someone who engages in typical or petty criminal activities. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and can be used to describe someone who is frequently involved in criminal activities or dishonest behavior. While not overly formal, the phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts. Alternatives include "an ordinary criminal" or "a petty thief". It's important to consider the context when using this phrase, as it may not be suitable for describing more complex or serious crimes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an ordinary criminal

Replaces "crook" with "criminal" and "common" with "ordinary", maintaining the sense of a typical offender.

a petty thief

Substitutes "crook" with "thief" and "common" with "petty", suggesting a criminal who commits less serious offenses.

a typical swindler

Replaces "crook" with "swindler" and "common" with "typical", emphasizing deceitful practices.

a garden-variety cheat

Uses a more informal expression, replacing "crook" with "cheat" and "common" with "garden-variety".

a run-of-the-mill fraudster

Replaces "crook" with "fraudster" and "common" with "run-of-the-mill", highlighting fraudulent activities.

an average lawbreaker

Substitutes "crook" with "lawbreaker" and "common" with "average", focusing on the act of breaking the law.

a low-level offender

Indicates the crook operates on a small scale.

a dime-a-dozen rogue

Uses "rogue" instead of crook, indicating their commonality through idiom.

a regular hustler

Replaces crook, indicating illegal earnings that are earned from a variety of sources.

a familiar grifter

Replaces "crook" with "grifter" suggesting someone who earns money by tricking people.

FAQs

How can I use "a common crook" in a sentence?

You can use "a common crook" to describe someone who engages in petty theft or scams. For example, "The police were looking for "a common crook" who had been pickpocketing in the market."

What's a more formal alternative to "a common crook"?

A more formal alternative could be "a petty criminal" or "a low-level offender". These phrases are suitable for professional or academic contexts where a less colloquial term is preferred.

Is it appropriate to use "a common crook" in professional writing?

While "a common crook" is understandable, it might be too informal for professional writing. Consider using more neutral terms like "offender" or "criminal" depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between ""a common crook"" and "a criminal mastermind"?

"A common crook" suggests someone who commits minor or unsophisticated crimes, whereas "a criminal mastermind" implies someone who plans and executes complex and large-scale criminal operations.