fifth column

Meaning

1. A group of people which clandestinely undermines a larger group, such as a nation, to which it is expected to be loyal.
2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see fifth, column.

Synonyms

Trojan horse

Translations

cinquième colonne

quinta columna

πέμπτη φάλαγγα

Fünfte Kolonne

quinta coluna

vijfde colonne

cheval de Troie

cinquena columna

quinta columna

fünfte Kolonne

الطابور الخامس

quinta colonna

Etymology

From a 1936 radio address by Spanish Nationalist general Emilio Mola, in which he spoke of four of his army columns moving on Madrid and a fifth column (quinta columna) consisting of his militant supporters within the capital, intent on undermining the Republican government from within.