share the same enemy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "share the same enemy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where two or more parties have a common adversary or opponent. Example: "Despite their differences, the two rival factions decided to unite and share the same enemy in order to achieve their goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"We share the same enemy".

The New York Times

"We share the same enemy with Al Shabab, and any possible way that the enemy can be destroyed is a solution," Sheik Aweys said.

The New York Times

Rex Tillerson stated that, given the rise of Iranian influence in the Middle East, "we now find that Israel, the US and the Arab nations in the region all share the same enemy".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"If you share the same enemies, you have something in common.

The New York Times

During months of meetings and phone calls, David and Mohamed had told Touré that the FARC had some thirty thousand fighters at war with the United States, and that it wanted to work with Al Qaeda, because the groups shared the same enemy.

The New Yorker

Indeed – as we have established – as a gay man I share many of the same enemies.

The Guardian - Opinion

But it's still the same enemy, the Germans.

The Guardian

"We all now face the same enemy -- terrorism.

The New York Times - Travel

And Apple has the same enemy.

TechCrunch

Both conflicts were fought on similar terrain against the same enemy.

Emerging Health Threats Journal

Guns all feel the same, enemies all behave the same.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add impact, follow the phrase with an explanation of the consequences of this shared opposition or the potential benefits of cooperation.

Common error

Avoid using "share the same enemy" without clearly specifying who or what the enemy is. Ambiguity can weaken the statement and confuse the audience. Be precise in your identification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "share the same enemy" functions as a descriptor, indicating a common opponent or adversary. It highlights a shared challenge or conflict, as seen in Ludwig's examples from news and media sources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "share the same enemy" is a phrase used to describe a situation where different entities find themselves united against a common adversary. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and sees most frequent use in the news and media. While there are several ways to phrase this concept, it is important to clearly identify the common enemy and the context in which this shared opposition occurs. Remembering these best practices when writing will ensure clarity and impact. Use alternatives like "have a common adversary" or "face a mutual foe" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have a common adversary

Replaces "share" with "have" and "enemy" with "adversary", offering a more formal tone.

face a mutual foe

Uses "face" instead of "share" and "foe" instead of "enemy", creating a slightly more dramatic effect.

confront the same threat

Substitutes "enemy" with "threat", emphasizing the danger posed by the common adversary.

oppose a joint opponent

Replaces "enemy" with "opponent" and adds "joint" to highlight the shared nature of the opposition.

battle a shared nemesis

Uses "battle" instead of "share" and "nemesis" instead of "enemy", adding a sense of intense rivalry.

struggle against a common rival

Replaces "enemy" with "rival", suggesting a competitive dynamic between the parties involved.

unite against a mutual antagonist

Emphasizes the act of uniting and uses "antagonist" instead of "enemy", creating a more formal and literary tone.

stand together against the same adversary

Highlights the act of standing together and uses "adversary" instead of "enemy", adding a sense of solidarity.

be allied against a shared foe

Highlights the state of being allied and uses "foe" instead of "enemy", adding an element of historical or traditional conflict.

have identical opponents

Replaces "share" with "have" and rephrases "same enemy" as "identical opponents", suggesting a precise alignment of adversaries.

FAQs

How can I use "share the same enemy" in a sentence?

You can use "share the same enemy" to describe a situation where different groups or individuals are united by their opposition to a common adversary. For example, "Despite their past conflicts, the two nations now "share the same enemy" in the face of global terrorism".

What's a more formal way to say "share the same enemy"?

For a more formal tone, you could say "have a common adversary" or "face a mutual foe". These alternatives maintain the meaning while sounding more sophisticated.

Is it correct to say "share the similar enemy" instead of "share the same enemy"?

No, it's more accurate to say ""share the same enemy"". "Similar" implies resemblance, whereas "same" indicates an identical enemy, highlighting a stronger sense of shared purpose.

What does it imply when two parties "share the same enemy"?

When two parties ""share the same enemy"", it suggests a potential alliance or collaboration, even if they have different motivations or goals. It implies a temporary alignment of interests due to the common threat.