join forces: Idiom Meaning and Origin

What does ‘join forces’ mean?

The idiom "join forces" means to unite or collaborate with someone or a group of people to achieve a common goal or objective.

Idiom Explorer

Harmonizing Strengths

The idiomatic phrase "join forces" is commonly used in the English language to describe the act of two or more entities coming together to collaborate and achieve a common goal. This phrase, which has its roots in military terminology, emphasizes the concept of teamwork and collective effort. The figurative meaning of "join forces" is the idea of creating a stronger and more effective force by combining resources, skills, and knowledge.

One related idiom that conveys a similar meaning is "join hands." This expression is often used to emphasize the importance of collaboration and cooperation. When individuals or groups join hands, they are working together towards a shared objective, just like when entities join forces. Both idioms highlight the significance of teamwork and the benefits that can be achieved through collective action.

Another idiomatic phrase that shares a similar meaning is "team up." This expression is frequently used to describe the act of individuals or groups coming together and forming a team to achieve a specific goal. When people team up, they combine their individual strengths and capabilities to create a collaborative and synergistic unit. "Team up" captures the essence of collaboration and joint effort, similar to "join forces."

Join forces to unravel the etymology of this idiom.

Similarly, the idiom "band together" is another expression that relates to the concept of joining forces. It emphasizes the idea of different individuals or groups uniting and forming a band or alliance in order to achieve a common objective. When people band together, they pool their resources and work collectively towards a shared goal. This idiom highlights the power of unity and collective action, just like "join forces."

Another phrase that can be used synonymously with "join forces" is "bring together." This expression conveys the idea of different individuals or groups coming together and combining their skills, resources, and knowledge to achieve a common purpose. When people bring together, they create a collaborative environment that fosters creativity, synergy, and effective problem-solving. "Bring together" encapsulates the essence of combining forces, similar to "join forces."

Lastly, the idiom "get together" can also be related to the concept of "join forces." While "get together" is often used in a more informal context to describe social gatherings or meetings, it can also signify the act of individuals or groups coming together to collaborate or work towards a shared objective. When people get together, they create a space for communication, cooperation, and joint effort. This idiomatic expression shares the theme of unity and collective action with "join forces."

The idiom "join forces" is a commonly used phrase that highlights the concept of collaboration and teamwork. It is related to idiomatic expressions such as "join hands," "team up," "band together," "bring together," and "get together." These related idioms all convey the idea of individuals or groups coming together to work towards a common goal, emphasizing the power of unity and collective action.

Example usage

Examples of how the idiom "join forces" can be used in a sentence:

  • Example 1: The two companies decided to join forces and collaborate on a new project.
  • Example 2: In order to solve the complex problem, the scientists from different fields joined forces and combined their expertise.
  • Example 3: The nonprofit organizations joined forces to raise awareness about the issue and create a bigger impact.

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