串通一气

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: chuàn tōng yī qì
• English Translation: To be in cahoots (colluding for a bad purpose)
• Idiom Composition: 「串通」（To connect or communicate secretly (usually for illicit purposes)）＋「一」（One; the same）＋「气」（Breath or spirit; referring to a shared mindset or attitude）
• Meaning: To secretly communicate and work together to plot something evil or deceive others. It describes a state where multiple parties are 'breathing through the same nose' to achieve a dishonest goal.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「串通一气」 contains the following nuances:

• Malicious Collaboration: This term does not refer to simple teamwork. It specifically implies a 'conspiracy' intended to harm others or perform illegal acts.
• Unity of Intent: The phrase 一气 (yī qì), meaning 'one breath,' emphasizes that the parties are acting with such perfect synchronization that they behave as a single entity.

3. Usage

「串通一气」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Exposing Fraud or Corruption: Used to condemn situations where individuals or organizations are secretly linked in corruption, match-fixing, or scams.
  • Example:「原来那个卖家和所谓的鉴定专家是串通一气的，专门骗外行人的钱。」
    （It turns out that seller and the so-called appraisal expert were in cahoots specifically to scam money from amateurs.)
• Daily Betrayal or Secret Agreements: Used when friends or colleagues align their stories to exclude someone or hide the truth.
  • Example:「你们两个早就串通一气了吧，只有我一个人被蒙在鼓里。」
    （You two must have colluded long ago; I was the only one kept in the dark.)

Additional Examples:

1. 这些奸商和贪官串通一气，哄抬物价。
   （These unscrupulous merchants and corrupt officials are working hand in glove to drive up prices.）
2. 别以为你们串通一气就能瞒天过海，真相总会大白的。
   （Don't think you can hide the truth by conspiring together; the truth will eventually come to light.）
3. 为了赢得比赛，他们竟然和裁判串通一气。
   （To win the match, they actually colluded with the referee.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• This idiom appears in Chapter 46 of the classic novel Dream of the Red Chamber (红楼梦). A servant, realizing others are plotting against her, shouts: 'No wonder! You are all **in cahoots** (串通一气) to scheme against me!'
• The imagery of 'breathing the same air' or 'sharing the same breath' is a common metaphor in Chinese for people who share the same (usually bad) intentions. It is a strong derogatory term used to criticize a lack of integrity.
• While it can occasionally be used jokingly among close friends, its primary function is to accuse others of dishonest collaboration.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 狼狈为奸 (láng bèi wéi jiān): Literally 'the wolf and the bei (a legendary animal) acting together'; used to describe villains joining forces for evil.
  • 沆瀣一气 (hàng xiè yī qì): To be of the same ilk; usually refers to people with similar bad tastes or habits acting in collusion.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 各行其是 (gè xíng qí shì): Each going their own way; everyone doing what they think is right without coordination.
  • 齐心协力 (qí xīn xié lì): To work together with one heart and one mind.link
  • 同舟共济 (tóng zhōu gòng jì): To help each other in times of difficulty.link

6. Summary

串通一气 (chuàn tōng yī qì) is a derogatory idiom used to describe people who have secretly joined forces for a malicious or fraudulent purpose. It is often translated as 'to be in league with' or 'to collude.' It is never used to describe positive or honest cooperation.