English Reference
Idiom idiom

goon squad


A group of individuals serving as enforcers, bodyguards, assassins, and the like, especially persons hired for such a purpose and using violent, thuggish methods.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

The company hired a goon squad to scare away the protesters.

CONTEXTUAL

The corrupt politician used a goon squad to threaten anyone who dared to speak out against his new policies.

COMPLEX

Fearing for his safety, the whistleblower fled the city before the syndicate could dispatch their goon squad to silence him permanently.


Related idioms1entry
  1. 01

    circular firing squad

    A political party or other group experiencing considerable disarray because the members are engaging in internal disputes and mutual recrimination.

Last updated August 10, 2026