fight a common enemy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fight a common enemy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where individuals or groups unite against a shared adversary or challenge. Example: "In times of crisis, nations often come together to fight a common enemy that threatens their security."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

FORMER adversaries in the airport border wars between Westchester and Connecticut came together last week to fight a common enemy.

The New York Times

The occupation has given disparate groups from various countries a common battlefield on which to fight a common enemy.

The New York Times

And President Obama and his aides graciously made no public mention of France's failure to contribute its fair share of troops to fight a common enemy in Afghanistan.

The New York Times

FORMER adversaries in the so-called airport border wars between Westchester and Connecticut came together last week to fight a common enemy.

The New York Times

In another voice-over, Jon Snow, the new King of the North, talks of banding together to fight a common enemy — he's a realist, out for survival, sane and reasonable.

The New Yorker

Holding it together, he says, is not only tolerance but also the residual glue that brought the community together in the 1990s to fight a common enemy: the drug lords who ruled northern Manhattanville's streets.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

We are already fighting a common enemy.

The New Yorker

Because we're fighting a common enemy — Al Qaeda".

The New Yorker

We were bound together to battle a common enemy.

Huffington Post

Nobody is writing the La Marseillaise for globalization and there aren't any conflagrations that require us to fight together against a common enemy.

Huffington Post

"They fought together against a common enemy, despite their differences, despite their suspicions, together," he whispers.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "fight a common enemy", ensure that the context clearly defines who or what the enemy is. This will make your writing more precise and impactful.

Common error

Avoid using "fight a common enemy" in contexts where the identity of the enemy is ambiguous. This can lead to confusion and weaken the overall message. Be explicit about who or what is being opposed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fight a common enemy" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe a situation where individuals or groups unite to oppose a shared threat or adversary. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fight a common enemy" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, suitable for describing situations where diverse groups unite against a shared adversary. Predominantly found in News & Media and Wiki sources, this phrase conveys a sense of unity and purpose in the face of a threat. While alternatives like "combat a shared foe" or "unite against a common threat" offer similar meanings, it's crucial to clearly define the "enemy" to maintain clarity and impact. Avoiding ambiguity ensures the message resonates effectively, solidifying the phrase's role in persuasive and informative communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

combat a shared foe

Replaces "fight" with "combat" and "common enemy" with "shared foe", altering the tone slightly while maintaining the core meaning.

battle a mutual adversary

Substitutes "fight" with "battle" and "common enemy" with "mutual adversary", adding a more adversarial tone.

unite against a common threat

Focuses on the act of uniting, replacing "fight" with "unite against" and "enemy" with "threat".

join forces against a shared opponent

Emphasizes collaboration, replacing "fight" with "join forces" and using "opponent" instead of "enemy".

stand together against a mutual peril

Highlights solidarity, substituting "fight" with "stand together" and "enemy" with "peril".

confront a collective foe

Uses "confront" instead of "fight" and "collective foe" instead of "common enemy", suggesting a more direct approach.

oppose a shared antagonist

Replaces "fight" with "oppose" and "common enemy" with "shared antagonist", maintaining a similar level of formality.

tackle a joint challenge

Shifts the focus to overcoming a challenge, replacing "fight" with "tackle" and "enemy" with "challenge".

counter a universal threat

Substitutes "fight" with "counter" and "common enemy" with "universal threat", suggesting a broader scope.

resist a collective aggression

Emphasizes resistance, replacing "fight" with "resist" and framing the "enemy" as "collective aggression".

FAQs

How can I use "fight a common enemy" in a sentence?

You can use "fight a common enemy" to describe situations where different groups unite against a shared threat. For example, "Despite their past differences, the two organizations decided to "fight a common enemy" that threatened their mutual interests."

What is a good alternative to "fight a common enemy"?

Alternatives include phrases like "combat a shared foe", "unite against a common threat", or "join forces against a shared opponent", depending on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is it grammatically correct to say "fighting a common enemy"?

Yes, "fighting a common enemy" is grammatically correct. It is the gerund form of the verb "fight" and can be used as a noun in a sentence. For example, "Fighting a common enemy can lead to unexpected alliances."

What's the difference between "fight a common enemy" and "fight a common cause"?

"Fight a common enemy" implies opposing a shared adversary, while "fight a common cause" suggests working towards a shared goal or belief. The former focuses on opposition, the latter on collaboration.