# goon squad

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/goon-squad
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

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

## Examples

- The company hired a goon squad to scare away the protesters.
- The corrupt politician used a goon squad to threaten anyone who dared to speak out against his new policies.
- Fearing for his safety, the whistleblower fled the city before the syndicate could dispatch their goon squad to silence him permanently.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.