caballer
Definition
Noun: A person who engages in secret plotting or scheming, especially as part of a small, conspiratorial group. The term derives from "cabal," meaning a secret political faction or plot.
Usage Examples
- (A person involved in a secret plot.)
- (A person scheming secretly.)
- (A plotter whose scheme was revealed.)
Advanced Usage
"To unmask a caballer": to reveal someone's secret plotting.
- The journalist's investigation helped unmask the caballer behind the political scandal. (Exposed the secret schemer.)
"A caballer's circle": the group of conspirators around a caballer.
- The caballer's circle met in a hidden room to finalize their plans. (The secret group of plotters.)
Variants and Related Words
Cabal (n): a secret political faction or scheme.
- The cabal was formed to influence the election results. (A secret group with a plot.)
Caballer (n): the person who is part of or leads a cabal.
- He was known as the chief caballer in the royal court. (The main plotter.)
Caballing (adj or n): the act of plotting secretly.
- Their caballing activities were eventually uncovered by the authorities. (Their secret scheming.)
Synonyms
- Conspirator: a person who takes part in a secret plan to do something unlawful or harmful.
- The conspirators were arrested for their role in the plot.
- Plotter: a person who secretly plans to do something illegal or wrong.
- The plotter's diary revealed the details of the scheme.
- Schemer: a person who devises secret or underhanded plans.
- The schemer manipulated events from behind the scenes.
Phrasal Verbs
Cabal together: to form a secret group for plotting.
- The dissidents caballed together to plan the rebellion. (They formed a secret plot.)
Plot against: to secretly plan to harm or overthrow someone.
- The caballer plotted against the king for months. (He schemed to undermine the monarch.)
Related Idioms
In the shadows: acting secretly or covertly.
- The caballer operated in the shadows, never revealing his true intentions. (Acted secretly.)
To hatch a plot: to devise a secret plan.
- The caballer hatched a plot to seize control of the treasury. (Devised a secret scheme.)