en English es español fr française it italiano de deutsche ja 日本語 pl polski cs česky sv svenska tr Türkçe nl Nederlands

Explaining "The enemy of my enemy is my friend"

Reviewed and edited by Anwar Kareem 28/09/2024, 21:46
English.me team member

What does it mean?

The enemy of my enemy is my friend

The phrase suggests that two parties can find common ground and ally with each other against a shared adversary, even if they are not naturally aligned or are otherwise unfriendly.

Tone

Pragmatic and strategic.

Origin

The phrase is believed to have originated from an ancient Sanskrit saying that appeared in the Arthashastra, an ancient Indian treatise on politics, military strategy, and economic policy, written by Kautilya (Chanakya) in the 4th century BCE.

Examples of usage

  • During the war, the two rival nations became allies, adhering to the principle that ‘the enemy of my enemy is my friend’.
  • Despite their differences, the two political parties collaborated because the enemy of my enemy is my friend.
  • When insects threatened to overrun the crops, farmers welcomed birds despite them usually being pests because the enemy of my enemy is my friend.

Recommended posts in Phrases

It goes without saying

It goes without saying

The phrase "It goes without saying" is used to indicate ... Learn more →

You cannot have your cake and eat it too

You cannot have your cake and eat it too

The phrase means that one cannot possess something and consume ... Learn more →

Do not rock the boat

Do not rock the boat

The phrase "Do not rock the boat" means to avoid ... Learn more →

Let the punishment fit the crime

Let the punishment fit the crime

The phrase means that the severity of the punishment should ... Learn more →