Definition
To be in cahoots means to be in a secret or conspiratorial partnership with someone, usually for a dishonest or deceptive purpose. The phrase is most commonly used in the form “in cahoots with," as in: “The politician was in cahoots with the developers." The origin of the word “cahoot" is uncertain, but it likely derives from the French cahute (a small hut or cabin), suggesting people plotting together in close quarters, or possibly from an obscure American frontier slang term.
Why It Matters
“In cahoots” is one of the most evocative idioms in English. It implies not just cooperation, but secrecy, scheming, and a shared willingness to break rules. The word has a playful, almost cartoonish quality — it sounds like something from a Western film — which makes it perfect for political commentary, satire, and internet discourse. In an era of conspiracy theories, corporate collusion, and political backroom deals, “cahoots” has become more relevant than ever. The phrase also illustrates how American English absorbed frontier slang, French loanwords, and criminal underworld terminology into mainstream vocabulary.
Example
"The investigation revealed that the tech company was in cahoots with the data brokers, selling user information that they had publicly promised to protect. No one was surprised, but the word 'cahoots' in the headline made it feel almost charming."
Cultural Context
“Cahoots” has a distinctly American flavor, evoking images of Wild West outlaws, corrupt sheriffs, and frontier gambling dens. It appears frequently in Western films, political cartoons, and satirical writing. The word has spawned derivatives: “cahootery” (the act of conspiring) and the verb “to cahoot” (rare, but used humorously). Internet culture has embraced the term ironically — “in cahoots with Big ___" is a common meme format, applied to everything from Big Pharma to Big Avocado. The phrase endures because it captures something timeless: the suspicion that behind every public narrative, someone is secretly working with someone else.
Related Terms
Collusion, Conspiracy, Scheme, Partnership, Backroom deal, Idiom