Definition & Meaning of "set a thief to catch a thief"

to set a thief to catch a thief

PHRASE

to make use of a thief or criminal just to be able to anticipate, understand, or capture other criminals or thieves

to [set] a thief to catch a thief definition and meaning

Idiom

Informal

What is the origin of the idiom "set a thief to catch a thief" and when to use it?

The idiom "set a thief to catch a thief" is believed to have its origins in various ancient and medieval sources. It is a concept that has been present in different cultures and literary works over the centuries. The idea behind this expression is that sometimes the best person to catch or outsmart a criminal is another criminal or someone with a similar background or expertise. The reasoning is that they would understand the tactics and strategies used by criminals, making them better equipped to apprehend or counteract them. This phrase is typically used to suggest that using someone with a similar background, knowledge, or expertise can be effective in dealing with a specific situation or problem, especially when it involves outsmarting or catching wrongdoers.

Example

In their efforts to combat art forgery, the museum is considering setting a thief to catch a thief by consulting a skilled art forger for insights into detecting counterfeit artworks.