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

Another happy landing

Another happy landing

The phrase "Another happy landing" is a lighthearted or humorous ... Learn more →

Two heads are better than one

Two heads are better than one

The phrase means that two people working together can solve ... Learn more →

Every little bit helps

Every little bit helps

The phrase "Every little bit helps" means that even the ... Learn more →

One swallow does not make a summer

One swallow does not make a summer

The phrase means that a single occurrence or sign does ... Learn more →