Meaning of the word "it takes a thief to catch a thief" in English
What does "it takes a thief to catch a thief" mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.
it takes a thief to catch a thief
US /ɪt teɪks ə θiːf tuː kætʃ ə θiːf/
UK /ɪt teɪks ə θiːf tuː kætʃ ə θiːf/
Idiom
the idea that one person who is familiar with a particular type of bad behavior is the best person to find or catch another person doing the same thing
Example:
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The police hired a former hacker to find the cybercriminal, because it takes a thief to catch a thief.
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They used an undercover agent who used to be a con artist; it takes a thief to catch a thief.