rogues' gallery
Any group of lawbreakers or other disreputable characters.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“The police kept photos of the rogues' gallery on the wall.”
“Looking at the suspects in the lineup, the detective realized he was dealing with a complete rogues' gallery of local criminals.”
“The political scandal revealed a rogues' gallery of corrupt officials and lobbyists who had been manipulating the system for years.”
From rogue + gallery. Popularized by American detectives Allan Pinkerton and Thomas F. Byrnes.
- 01
go rogue
To behave in a very unconventional, independent, uncontrolled, or unauthorized way that ignores rules, norms, or expectations.
- 02
peanut gallery
Any source of heckling, unwelcome commentary or criticism, especially from a know-it-all or of an inexpert nature. May also now refer to general audience response: "Let's hear it from the peanut gallery."
- 03
play to the gallery
To appeal to the least sophisticated parts of an audience in order to obtain maximum approval.
Last updated August 10, 2026