team of thieves

USAGE SUMMARY

"team of thieves" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a group of people who work together to steal or commit other crimes. For example, "The police managed to apprehend the team of thieves that had been operating in the city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

THE ITALIAN JOB (2003) Charlie Croker Mark Wahlbergg) and his team of thieves need to steal $27 million in gold.

The New York Times

In 1949 a team of thieves went to work one night in a brilliantly lighted auto showroom on King's Road in Chelsea.

The New York Times - Books

The following week, a team of thieves using the same method was observed at a different branch, so Rogers enlisted the help of a colleague at the police department and traced the thieves to a tenement in Providence, Rhode Island.

The New Yorker

Even exhaustive planning and seamless cooperation cannot prevent calamitous accidents, and a team of thieves, like a movie crew, must be as good at improvising in the breach as at calculating in advance.

The New York Times

While the Manhattan real estate market, defying national trends, still remains strong, city brokers are being warned to turn away two potential buyers: a team of thieves who, the police say, have attended at least six open houses in recent weeks and stolen expensive items like diamond rings, a fur coat, handbags and a bottle of Champagne.

The New York Times

A solid, serviceable England team, with no great flair but plenty of class in Bobby Charlton, Francis Lee, Terry Cooper and the rest – dubbed "a team of thieves and drunks" in the Mexican press – melted against West Germany in Guadalajara, Ramsey's reliance on overlapping full-backs a fatal flaw in the violent midday heat.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Soon teams of thieves were stripping the metal roofs of abandoned Muslim businesses in the PK12 neighbourhood of Bangui.

The Guardian

There have been teams of thieves who have included art among their targets, like the ones who stole a Rembrandt self-portrait from the National Museum in Stockholm in 2000.

The New York Times

While the state is still safer than it once was, it has struggled anew this year with a crime wave, including climbing rates of homicides, rapes and armed robberies, called arrastões, in which teams of thieves assault upscale restaurants and apartment complexes.

The New York Times

Multiplayer support was planned, including the "theftmatch" mode (a pun on deathmatch) "where small teams of thieves compete under time pressure to steal the greatest value of swag from the territory of wealthy NPC's and their guard".

Wikipedia

But, seeing an inkling of her potential, and perhaps also falling for her, he schools her in his criminal ways and recruits her for his slick, well-organized, quasi-corporate team of pickpockets, thieves, and scammers.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a "team of thieves", be specific about the type of theft they commit (e.g., art theft, bank robbery) to provide clarity and impact to your narrative.

Common error

Do not assume every "team of thieves" operates the same way. Individualize their methods, motivations, and backstories to craft a compelling narrative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "team of thieves" functions primarily as a noun phrase that identifies a group of individuals involved in stealing. Ludwig AI affirms its usability. It's a direct and easily understood way to label a group of people who are acting as thieves together.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "team of thieves" is a straightforward way to describe a group engaged in stealing, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While grammatically correct and widely understood, its frequency is uncommon. Predominantly found in news and media, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various contexts. When using "team of thieves", consider specifying the type of theft involved to enhance clarity. Alternatives like "criminal gang" or "theft syndicate" can offer different connotations depending on the specific nature of the group's activities. As demonstrated by the examples, the phrase is used to clearly identify and narrate the actions of these individuals.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

criminal gang

Emphasizes the organized and illegal nature of the group.

organized crime ring

Highlights the structured and systematic approach to criminal activities.

theft syndicate

Implies a large, complex organization involved in various forms of theft.

group of burglars

Specifically refers to a group involved in breaking into buildings to steal.

criminal enterprise

Focuses on the business-like aspect of the group's illegal activities.

band of robbers

Suggests a more old-fashioned or theatrical image of thieves.

felony crew

Slang-like term for a group engaging in serious criminal activities.

pack of pilferers

Describes a group involved in petty theft and minor stealing.

outlaw faction

Implies a group that is operating outside the bounds of the law.

illegal collective

A broad term referring to any group acting unlawfully.

FAQs

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

You can use "team of thieves" to describe a group of people who work together to commit thefts. For example, "The police apprehended a notorious "team of thieves" responsible for several high-profile heists."

What's a less formal alternative to "team of thieves"?

Less formal alternatives could include "gang of thieves" or "group of robbers", depending on the context. The specific term you choose will depend on the tone and style of your writing.

Are "team of thieves" and "gang of thieves" interchangeable?

While similar, "team of thieves" might suggest a more organized or professional operation, whereas "gang of thieves" might imply a more loosely structured or less sophisticated group. The distinction is subtle and context-dependent.

What is the difference between "team of thieves" and a "criminal enterprise"?

While both involve illegal activities, a "team of thieves" specifically focuses on theft, whereas a "criminal enterprise" encompasses a broader range of illegal activities, which may or may not include theft as a primary component.