cabal
/kəˈbæl/ (bre, ipa) · /kəˈbæl/ (ame, ipa) · /kə-ˈbäl -ˈbal/ (ame, mw)
cabal — 名詞
- cabalsingular
- cabalsplural
1. A small circle of people who work together secretly to gain political influence
秘密集團
為政治目的秘密結成的小團體
A small circle of people who work together secretly to gain political influence or power, often using dishonest methods.
A cabal of senior military officers seized control of the city while the president was traveling abroad.
一群資深軍官組成的秘密集團趁總統出國時控制了這座城市。
cabal + of + [group] describing a takeover
The local newspaper showed that a cabal of wealthy landowners had been changing tax rules for years.
當地報紙揭露，一群富裕地主組成的秘密集團多年來一直在改變稅務規則。
In the novel, a cabal of royal advisors meets in a hidden room to plot against the queen.
小說中，一個由王室顧問組成的秘密集團在隱藏的房間裡密謀對抗女王。
Before the election, Senator Okonkwo warned the public about a cabal of extremists trying to divide the country.
選舉前，Okonkwo 參議員警告民眾，有一個極端分子的秘密集團企圖分裂國家。
The CEO denied that a cabal existed, but leaked emails showed three executives making key decisions alone.
執行長否認有任何秘密集團的存在，但外流的郵件顯示三名高階主管單獨做出了重要決策。
- clique
more social than political, not necessarily secret
- faction
broader meaning; can be an open group within a larger organization
- conspiracy
focuses on the secret plan itself, not the group of people
- public committee
a group that operates openly and by formal rules
文法句型
cabal + of + [people]
用法筆記
Almost always used critically to describe a group the speaker disapproves of. 'Cabal' is far stronger than 'group' or 'committee' because it insists on secrecy and dishonest intent.
常見錯誤
2. A secret plan crafted by a few individuals, designed to win political power or o
陰謀
祕密的政治策劃
A secret plan crafted by a few individuals, designed to win political power or overthrow those currently in charge.
Historians uncovered a cabal within the royal court aimed at replacing the king with his younger brother.
歷史學家發現了宮廷內部的一項陰謀，目的是用國王的弟弟來取代他。
a cabal + within + [place] + aimed at + [goal]
The ambassador's letters described a cabal to start a war between the two neighboring countries.
大使的信件中描述了一場企圖在兩個鄰國之間開啟戰端的陰謀。
Citizens feared a cabal among corrupt officials to steal money meant for new schools.
民眾擔憂貪官之間存在一項陰謀，打算竊取原本要蓋新學校的經費。
The film follows a young journalist who uncovers a cabal to silence opposition voices before the vote.
這部電影講述一名年輕記者揭露了一項在投票前打壓反對聲音的陰謀。
- plot
less formal and can be used for non-political situations
- conspiracy
very similar, but often implies a larger group and a more serious crime
文法句型
a cabal + to-infinitive
a cabal + against + [target]
用法筆記
Less common than the 'SECRET GROUP' sense — this sense names the scheme itself, not the people behind it. Distinguish by asking whether the sentence describes a plan (sense 2) or the group who made it (sense 1).
cabal — 動詞
- cabalpresent simple I / you / we / they
- cabals3rd person singular
- cabaling-ing form
- cabaledpast simple
1. To join with other people in a secret alliance for planning political strategy o
結黨密謀
組成秘密集團策劃政治行動
To join with other people in a secret alliance for planning political strategy or gaining power, typically by working outside official channels.
The three generals caballed against the elected government, meeting in a private house far from the capital.
三名將軍結黨密謀對抗民選政府，在遠離首都的一處私人宅邸聚會。
cabal + against + [target]
During the crisis, several party members caballed to remove the prime minister from office.
危機期間，幾名黨員結黨密謀要將總理趕下台。
Court records showed that the ministers had caballed for months before announcing the sudden change in leadership.
法院紀錄顯示，這些部長在宣布領導層突然異動前，已經結黨密謀了好幾個月。
The two ambassadors caballed with opposition leaders to block the trade agreement.
兩名大使與反對派領袖結黨密謀，試圖阻止這項貿易協定。
文法句型
cabal + with + [person]
cabal + against + [target]
用法筆記
Very rare in everyday speech. Found mainly in historical or political writing describing past events. Almost always appears in past tense forms ('caballed', 'had caballed').