gang
/ɡæŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /ɡæŋ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈgaŋ/ (ame, mw)
gang — noun
- gangsingular
- gangsplural
1. young people — usually teenagers — who form a close group that hangs around toge
young people — usually teenagers — who form a close group that hangs around together and sometimes gets into fights or creates problems in the neighbourhood
A gang of teenagers was seen gathering behind the old train station after dark.
gang of teenagers + gathering location
The youth worker tried to help kids leave the gang and find better activities.
Romi's older brother got into a gang and started skipping school every day.
Neighbours complained about a gang of youths playing loud music in the park.
After a fight between two gangs, three students were suspended from school.
文法句型
gang of [young people / teenagers] + verb
用法筆記
Commonly used with a negative meaning — this sense describes groups that are seen as a problem by the community. The phrase 'gang of youths' is very frequent in news reports.
常見錯誤
2. people who form a structured group whose main purpose is carrying out crimes suc
people who form a structured group whose main purpose is carrying out crimes such as stealing, selling drugs, or cheating others for money
Police arrested four gang members who had been stealing luxury cars across the city.
gang member + steal
Valentina's shop was broken into by a gang that targeted small businesses in the area.
A criminal gang was selling fake watches and phones to people through social media.
The gang leader was sentenced to twelve years in prison for running a drug operation.
Police believe the robbery was carried out by a gang of at least six people.
- criminal ring
more secretive, often small and tightly organized
- cartel
used for large international drug or trade organizations
- mob
especially refers to organized crime families (the Mafia)
- syndicate
formal; a large business-like criminal organization
文法句型
gang + verb (operate / control / steal)
用法筆記
Unlike sense 1, this sense always refers to adults engaged in profit-driven crime. The subject when used as an agent is almost always a law-enforcement organization (police, FBI, etc.).
常見錯誤
3. the people you regularly spend time with socially — a friendly way of talking ab
the people you regularly spend time with socially — a friendly way of talking about your close group of friends
Hui and his gang of friends go to the cinema every Friday evening.
possessive + gang of friends
Christopher's whole gang from university met up for a weekend at the beach.
Ilan invited his old school gang over to watch the football match together.
Hoa's lunch gang always saves her a seat in the office cafeteria.
文法句型
possessive + gang
用法筆記
This sense is informal and usually positive or neutral. It is different from senses 1 and 2 — the context (hanging out, having fun, eating together) makes the meaning clear. Often used with a possessive: 'my gang', 'her gang'.
常見錯誤
4. several people doing manual work together as a team — for example, workers repai
several people doing manual work together as a team — for example, workers repairing a road or prisoners assigned to a building project
A gang of road workers was repairing the pavement outside Lukas's house.
gang of [workers] + task
The prison gang was assigned to paint all the walls in the east wing.
Jabari worked on a construction gang that helped build the new hospital.
The maintenance gang fixed the broken water pipes in the basement of the building.
文法句型
gang of [workers / prisoners] + verb
用法筆記
This sense is more common in British English than American English, where 'crew' is typically preferred. 'Chain gang' is a specific historical term for prisoners chained together while working.
5. a set of similar tools, machines, or devices that are designed to be used togeth
a set of similar tools, machines, or devices that are designed to be used together or are kept together for convenience
The electrician kept a gang of screwdrivers in a leather roll on his work belt.
gang of [specific tools]
A gang of six carving knives hung on the magnetic strip above the kitchen counter.
The carpenter's gang of chisels was arranged neatly on the workbench by size.
A gang of wrenches hung on the pegboard in the mechanic's garage.
- set
general term, much more common
- kit
implies a collection for a specific purpose
- collection
less structured, not necessarily intended for simultaneous use
文法句型
gang of [tools]
用法筆記
This is a specialized technical sense, most commonly found in descriptions of electricians' or mechanics' tool sets. In everyday conversation, 'set' or 'kit' is far more common.
gang — verb
- gangpresent simple I / you / we / they
- gangs3rd person singular
- ganging-ing form
- gangedpast simple
1. when people gather and act together as one coordinated group, often with a share
when people gather and act together as one coordinated group, often with a shared aim
The protesters ganged together and marched towards the town hall.
gang together + purpose
Padma's classmates ganged together to organise a surprise party for the teacher.
The fans ganged together outside the stadium, singing loudly before the match.
When the fire alarm went off, everyone ganged together in the car park as instructed.
- assemble
more formal; neutral tone
- rally
implies purpose or support for a cause
- congregate
formal; gathering in one place
文法句型
gang together
用法筆記
Always used with 'together'. The subject must be plural. This sense is neutral in tone — it simply describes people gathering as a group, though sometimes with a hint of purposefulness.
常見錯誤
2. to join with others to attack, criticize, or oppose a person or group, often in
to join with others to attack, criticize, or oppose a person or group, often in a way that feels unfair
The older kids ganged up on Jason and would not let him play basketball.
gang up on + victim
During the meeting, several colleagues ganged up on the new manager and criticised every idea.
The boys ganged up on the weakest player and took his lunch money.
Karim felt that all the other students ganged up on him during the class debate.
文法句型
gang up on + someone
用法筆記
In modern English this sense is almost always expressed with the phrasal verb 'gang up on + object'. The bare transitive use ('They ganged him') is outdated. The object must be a person or group of people — cannot be used with inanimate objects.