Meaning of the word "keep your friends close and your enemies closer" in English
What does "keep your friends close and your enemies closer" mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.
keep your friends close and your enemies closer
US /kiːp jɔːr frendz kloʊs ænd jɔːr ˈen.ə.miz ˈkloʊ.sər/
UK /kiːp jɔː frendz kləʊs ænd jɔː ˈen.ə.miz ˈkləʊ.sə/
Idiom
to monitor your enemies more closely than your friends to anticipate their actions and prevent them from causing harm
Example:
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In politics, it is often wise to keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
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He hired his rival just to keep his friends close and his enemies closer.