a pack of thieves

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a pack of thieves" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a group of individuals who engage in theft or criminal activities. Example: "The police managed to apprehend a pack of thieves who had been terrorizing the neighborhood for weeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

How did they know that the council was not a pack of thieves, the brigade demanded?

The New York Times

It did quite well and well, all producers are just a pack of thieves aren't they?

The Guardian - Film

In a crime called the robbery of the century by French news media, a pack of thieves, some posing as women and at least one with a hand grenade, robbed the Harry Winston jewelry store in Paris of roughly $110 million worth of diamonds, rings and watches.

The New York Times

President Jorge Batlle has made an unplanned, emergency trip to Buenos Aires to apologize to his Argentine counterpart, Eduardo Duhalde, for remarks broadcast on Monday in which Mr. Batlle, left, called Argentina's politicians "a pack of thieves, from the first to the last".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

He also famously lambasted the Occupy Wall Street movement on his blog as "nothing but a pack of louts, thieves and rapists".

Independent

"Occupy" is nothing but a pack of louts, thieves, and rapists, an unruly mob, fed by Woodstock-era nostalgia and putrid false righteousness.

The Guardian - Books

Now a colonel in the 1st New Jersey Cavalry, Wyndham had incurred Mosby's wrath by referring to his rangers as a "pack of horse thieves" and threatening to burn Middleburg, alleged to be Mosby's center of operations.

The New York Times

Brian Mr. Walkerr) is an undercover cop assigned to get close to Dom (Mr. Diesel), who may be leading a pack of daredevil thieves to keep his posse of illegal street racers in dual exhausts and fresh carburetors.

The New York Times

Moore spoke after Miller launched an attack on the Occupy movement, describing it as "nothing but a pack of louts, thieves, and rapists, an unruly mob, fed by Woodstock-era nostalgia and putrid false righteousness" on his blog last month.

The Guardian - Books

A sturdy corollary emerges in the wake of the graphic artist Frank Miller's recent diatribe against the Occupy Wall Street movement ("A pack of louts, thieves, and rapists … Wake up, pond scum, America is at war against a ruthless enemy"), available for perusal at frankmillerink.com).com

The Guardian

Moore, author of critically acclaimed comics including V for Vendetta and Watchmen, was speaking about Miller following the Sin City author's attack on the Occupy movement, which Miller described as "nothing but a pack of louts, thieves, and rapists, an unruly mob, fed by Woodstock-era nostalgia and putrid false righteousness" on his blog last month.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, consider the context. It is suitable for describing organized crime, corrupt politicians, or any group perceived as systematically stealing or defrauding others.

Common error

Avoid using "a pack of thieves" in neutral or positive contexts. The phrase is inherently pejorative and implies a strong moral judgment. Using it inappropriately can damage your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a pack of thieves" functions as a noun phrase that acts as a subject complement or object, typically carrying a negative connotation. It's used to describe a group of people collectively engaging in thievery, as seen in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a pack of thieves" is a noun phrase used to describe a group of people engaged in thievery. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and commonly used. While the phrase can appear in various contexts, from news to informal conversation, it typically carries a negative connotation. Related phrases include "a gang of robbers" and "a band of crooks". Be mindful of the pejorative nature of the term, it’s best applied when conveying disapproval. The phrase occurs frequently in News & Media. Overall, "a pack of thieves" is a useful expression when you want to condemn a group involved in stealing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a gang of robbers

Replaces "thieves" with "robbers", emphasizing the act of forceful taking.

a band of crooks

Uses "crooks" for a slightly more informal and general term for criminals.

a group of swindlers

Specifies that the group engages in deception and fraud.

a ring of racketeers

Indicates an organized crime operation involved in extortion and illegal schemes.

a cadre of looters

Suggests that the group is taking advantage of a chaotic situation to steal.

a collection of pilferers

Implies petty theft and the stealing of small items.

a troop of fraudsters

Highlights the deceitful nature of their activities.

a horde of plunderers

Emphasizes the aggressive and destructive nature of their theft.

a cabal of embezzlers

Pinpoints the crime to misappropriation of funds.

a den of inequity

Shifts the focus from the perpetrators to the place where the crimes occur.

FAQs

How can I use "a pack of thieves" in a sentence?

You can use "a pack of thieves" to describe a group of people who are engaged in stealing or dishonest behavior. For example, "The mayor accused the opposing party of being "a pack of thieves" after the budget was leaked to the press."

What's a similar expression to "a pack of thieves"?

Similar expressions include "a gang of robbers", "a band of crooks", or "a group of swindlers". The best choice depends on the specific type of theft or dishonesty you want to emphasize.

Is "a pack of thieves" a formal or informal expression?

"A pack of thieves" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is generally more common in news reports and general discourse. Be mindful of your audience when choosing this phrase, as it can be seen as judgmental.

What's the difference between "a pack of thieves" and "a group of thieves"?

While both phrases refer to multiple thieves, "a pack of thieves" carries a stronger negative connotation, suggesting a coordinated and predatory group. "A group of thieves" is more neutral and simply describes a collection of individuals who steal.