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Fifth Columnist for Dummies

noun

What does Fifth Columnist really mean?

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Hey there! So, I wanted to talk to you about the term "Fifth Columnist". I know it might sound a bit complicated, but I promise to explain it in the simplest way possible.

So, imagine you're part of a team or a group, and this term "Fifth Columnist" refers to someone who pretends to be a part of that team, but is actually secretly working against it. They might act like they're on your side, but they're actually doing things to harm the group from within.

Let's say you and your friends are planning a surprise party for someone, and one of your friends is secretly telling the person about the plans. That friend would be acting like a "Fifth Columnist" because they're working against the group's goals, all while pretending to be a loyal member.

Historically, the term "Fifth Columnist" was popularized during the Spanish Civil War, where it was used to describe people who were secretly collaborating with the enemy. It's like having a spy within your own ranks!

So, to sum it up, a "Fifth Columnist" is someone who pretends to be on your side, but is actually working against you from within. It's like a betrayal from someone you trust, which makes it all the more hurtful. I hope that helps you understand the term a bit better!


Revised and Fact checked by James Brown on 2023-11-15 14:35:07

Fifth Columnist In a sentece

Learn how to use Fifth Columnist inside a sentece

  • During the war, the spy acted as a fifth columnist by secretly helping the enemy.
  • The fifth columnist gave important information to the opposing team, causing his own team to lose the game.
  • The politician was accused of being a fifth columnist for his support of policies that seemed to benefit another country more than his own.
  • The teacher suspected that one of the students was a fifth columnist, spreading rumors and causing division among the classmates.
  • The company's downfall was attributed to the actions of a fifth columnist who leaked sensitive information to their competitors.

Fifth Columnist Synonyms

Words that can be interchanged for the original word in the same context.

saboteur saboteur

Fifth Columnist Hypernyms

Words that are more generic than the original word.

traitor traitor treasonist treasonist

Fifth Columnist Member Of

A group to which the original word belongs.

fifth column fifth column trojan horse trojan horse