As Thick As Thieves

Meaning of “As Thick As Thieves”

The phrase “as thick as thieves” means that two persons or a group of friends are very close to each other, and help each other in a difficult time. A gang of thieves plans everything to the last detail, and they rely on each other. Hence, the word ‘thieves’ is used to compare the relationship and teamwork of these friends or a group of friends. It also means that two persons have trust in each other.

Origin of “As Thick As Thieves”

The phrase “as thick as thieves” seems to have emerged in print from Selected Papers of the Twining Family of Richard Twining published in 1781 where he used the word “thick” for a close relationship. The saying goes, “He and I were quite thick.” Later Morning Chronical published a letter in its publication of February 1828 where this phrase has been mentioned, hinting to its likely meanings, which are now in common use, as “Bill Morris and me are as thick as two thieves.”

Examples in Literature

Example #1

Thick as Thieves by Kasabian by Sergio Pizzorno

There we were thick as thieves
Frightened by shadows and the autumn leaves
We wore stolen hats, fitted soles
Aided by lies amongst the media foes

And hey oh, where did it go?
When did we lose our sight?
And it’s a nice show, the ones we perform
Performing it day and night, night

See the lights upon my face
Walking in circles with the human race
And all the little people they want to be free
But I can’t get there ‘cause I’ve got you holding me back

And hey oh, where did it go?
When did we lose our sight?
And it’s a nice show, the ones we perform
Performing it day and night, night
Let me be free

Gave you all the high skies but you gave me night
I gave you all the high skies but you gave me night
I gave you all the high skies but you gave me night
I gave you all the high skies but you gave me night
Let the lights sing again

There we were thick as thieves
Frightened by shadows and the autumn leaves
Goodbye my sweet, goodbye, goodbye

The song is about childhood fun and activities of the poet and his beloved. He mentions that they were very close to each other. They used to steal things and enjoy together. The first line states that closeness through this phrase “There were thick as thieves.” After discussing this childhood friendship and love with some questions of where it has gone, the poet again comes to the point that they used to show lights and nights to each other and enjoy that friendship and love. The repetition of this phrase by the end of the lyric shows nostalgic love of the poet which he lost.

Example #2

Thick as Thieves by Charles Barnett

 Following the crooked pavement
that is set in the street
like a broken arm in
plaster of Paris.
We steal the smiles from
the people plastered on
the sidewalks like thieves
in the night.

Stealing the hope from children.
Stealing music from the pages
like a third-rate pop artist.

Sneaking past sirens that
try to lull us from the
road less traveled.
Sirens that blare in the night
like ghosts in the hall.
Singing songs trying to serenade
the kleptomania from my
soul.

The poem is about kleptomaniacs. The poet has used a lot of similes and metaphors. The poet states that pavements are crooked like broken arms with plaster and smiles of the people seem as if they are painted on the sidewalks.  The vision of the poet is that they do not give happiness or hope to the children and are always traveling. The poet, however, is still close to them and uses the phrase ‘thick as thieves’ to describe their relationship.

Example #3

Thick as Thieves by Peter Spiegelman

The author narrates the story of thieves led by a timid and reluctant gang leader, Carr, who dared to plan a great heist involving millions. Although Declan, the previous leader, thought him suitable to lead the gang, he proves as incompetent as Declan. The rest of the story about their love and heist, along with their interaction within the gang. The meanings of the title used for this novel shows they lived close to each other even in dreams.

Example #4

Thick as Thieves: A Brother, a Sister–a True Story of Two Turbulent Lives by Steven Geng

Steven Geng wrote this memoir about his life as a petty thief and his sister, Veronica. Since childhood, they understand each other. Despite the fact that Steven was a criminal and the sister was able to reach out to him. Steven and Veronica describe their life and the hardship faced by the criminals who try to reform themselves. Also about, their journey from Philadelphia to Paris, Greenwich Village to Riker’s Island. The title of the memoir clearly states their love for each other.

Examples in Sentences

Example #1: “All the fifth graders looked as thick as thieves when doing the activities. It surprised all the teachers.”

Example #2: “We have to be as thick as thieves, declared Roman. Otherwise, we cannot convince dad to let us go to the party.”

Example #3: “Loot at all the superheroes! They appear as thick as thieves, but they also end up fighting with each other too.”

Example #4: “Best friends are meant to be as thick as thieves so the rivals may continue to either learn from their friendship or remain jealous.”

Example #5: “Maybe they were as thick as thieves and trusted each other. It was easy for them to trust with their passwords too.”