a mutual enemy

USAGE SUMMARY

"a mutual enemy" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where two or more people or groups share a common enemy, meaning that the enemy is an enemy to all of them. For example: - "Despite their differences, the two countries united against a mutual enemy that threatened their borders." - "The two rival gangs put aside their differences to fight a mutual enemy, the rival gang from the neighboring town." - "The two sisters both disliked their stepmother, making her their mutual enemy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

American officials say Dr. Afridi was targeting a mutual enemy of Pakistan and the United States.

The New York Times

These days, the partnership is benefiting from the sense of a mutual enemy: Islam.

The New York Times

("We have a mutual enemy". "Vegetables?") But it was more amusing than the case of the week, which really seemed to be there just to build to the lesson about accountability at the end.

The New York Times

The film, called Early Man, will be another stop-frame animation, and will tell the story of a caveman who unites his tribe to combat a mutual enemy while simultaneously trying to fend off dinosaurs.

The Guardian - Film

The others have either sided with rival jihadist groups like al-Qaida's preferred local proxy, the Nusra Front, or fight against Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, a mutual enemy of the US and Isis.

The Guardian

As it happens, the rhetoric might suit both the SNP and the Tories, at least in the short-term, in their battles against a mutual enemy: Labour.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Some Iranians point to the Bonn Conference of 2001 — where Iran and the U.S. coöperated in the formation of an Afghan government, after the fall of their mutual enemy, the Taliban — as a model for what might take place with Syria.

The New Yorker

Despite these differences, however, the two groups initially cooperated in an effort to overthrow their mutual enemy, the Maliki government.

Stanford University

Mr. Trump and Jared Kushner, his son-in-law and senior adviser, have been exploring an approach called the "outside-in" strategy, which involves enlisting Arab nations that have already found common cause with Israel against Iran, their mutual enemy, to help broker a settlement with the Palestinians.

The New York Times

"Honestly, I am really tired of seeing special interest rainbow flags and wish we could see more American flags, as we stand together in unity against our greatest mutual enemy, radical Islamic jihadists!" he wrote in a blog post. .

Huffington Post

Find other people to bond with over your mutual distrust of a common enemy.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a mutual enemy", ensure the context clearly establishes that the enemy is genuinely shared by all parties involved. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the basis of the shared animosity.

Common error

Don't assume that because two parties have some overlapping interests, they automatically consider the same entity as "a mutual enemy". Always verify that the perception of the enemy is indeed shared and clearly defined.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a mutual enemy" functions as a noun phrase. It typically serves as an object or complement within a sentence, identifying a shared adversary. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is used to describe a situation where multiple parties are united against a common opponent.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Wiki

12%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a mutual enemy" is a valid and relatively common phrase used to denote a shared adversary. As verified by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and appears across a range of sources, particularly in news and media. While "a mutual enemy" is generally suitable for various contexts, being mindful of assuming shared animosity and clearly defining the nature of the shared opposition are vital. Alternatives like "a common adversary" or "a shared foe" offer similar meanings with slight variations in tone and formality. Always verify the authenticity of shared animosity to maintain clarity and avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a common adversary

Replaces "enemy" with a more formal term, "adversary", suggesting a more strategic or principled opposition.

a shared foe

Substitutes "enemy" with "foe", offering a slightly more archaic or literary tone.

a joint antagonist

Uses "antagonist" for a more dramatic or narrative context, implying active opposition.

a collective opponent

Emphasizes the group aspect of the opposition; suitable when the enemy is faced by a unified group.

a united opposition

Focuses on the act of opposing as a group rather than the enemy itself, useful when the unity is the key point.

a connecting conflict

Shifts the focus to the conflict that binds parties together, rather than the specific entity being fought.

a binding threat

Highlights the threat as the element bringing parties together, rather than an active opposition.

a correlating danger

Presents the enemy as a danger that is shared, emphasizing risk and peril.

a converged struggle

Implies a struggle where different paths or efforts have come together against one entity.

a consensual rival

Suggests the rival is not only mutual but also acknowledged as such by all parties involved; introduces a hint of acceptance or recognition.

FAQs

How can I use "a mutual enemy" in a sentence?

You can use "a mutual enemy" to describe a situation where two or more parties are united by their shared opposition to a common adversary. For instance, "Despite their past disagreements, the two nations found themselves united against "a mutual enemy" that threatened their sovereignty".

What are some alternatives to "a mutual enemy"?

Alternatives to "a mutual enemy" include phrases like "a common adversary", "a shared foe", or "a joint antagonist", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "a mutual enemy"?

While grammatically correct, the phrase "a mutual enemy" carries a strong connotation of opposition. Ensure that the context genuinely reflects a shared sense of animosity or threat before using it. Consider whether a more neutral term might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "a mutual enemy" and "a common enemy"?

The phrases "a mutual enemy" and "a common enemy" are largely interchangeable. However, "mutual" emphasizes the reciprocal nature of the enmity, while "common" simply highlights the shared aspect of the enemy.