Keep your friends close and your enemies closer In english explanation

The meaning, explanation, definition and origin of the idiom/phrase "keep your friends close and your enemies closer", English Idiom Dictionary ( also found in Vietnamese )

author Evelyn Nguyen calendar 2021-01-10 06:01

Meaning of Keep your friends close and your enemies closer

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer proverb

To keep an eye on your enemies' behavior in order to avoid any malicious actions

My father always teaches me: "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer".

It is a must that you always keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

I always keep my eye on Bell to see whether he has any dirt on me. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer!

In business, you must keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

Other phrases about:

have/keep your wits about you

To stay calm in a difficult situation and react to unexpected things quickly

Spoiler alert

Used to warn readers that an important detail of the plot is about to be revealed

put/keep somebody in the picture

Inform someone about a particular situation so that they can understand or be aware of what is happening

 

 

on (one's) radar (screen)

If something is on your radar, it is within the spectrum of one's interest, awareness, attention, or consideration.

be well aware of (something)

be able to know and aware of something. 

Grammar and Usage of Keep your friends close and your enemies closer

Verb Forms

  • keep your friends close and your enemies closer
  • keeps your friends close and your enemies closer

The verb "keep" should be conjugated according to its tense.

error

Report Error

Do you see anything wrong?

Share your idioms

If you are really thankful, what do you do? You share.

Submit An Idiom

Make a Donation!

Help us update and complete more idioms

Donate

TODAY
the straw that broke the donkey's back

Used to allude that the last force, problem or burden which is seemingly minor and small causes a person, system or organisation to collapse or fail

Example:

Her husband's violent act last night was the straw that broke the donkey's back and she left him

Join the Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest updates!

Darkmode