recruit defectors; gather scoundrels for selfish purposes
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesverb
to recruit enemy soldiers who surrender or defect (historical military term)
Originally used in military contexts to describe recruiting surrendered enemy troops to strengthen one's own forces.
Ancient generals often recruited defectors to strengthen their own forces.
During the Warring States period, recruiting enemy defectors was a common military strategy.
verb
to recruit bad people and form cliques for selfish purposes; to gather scoundrels
derogatoryModern usage is highly negative, describing corrupt practices of forming factions with unsavory characters for personal gain.
This gang leader specializes in recruiting criminals and colluding with lawbreakers in society.
He abused his position to recruit bad people and form cliques for selfish purposes, and was eventually investigated and punished.
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We must be vigilant against behavior that recruits scoundrels and forms factions.