Espionage And Intelligence Terms

noun a clandestine or subversive group that works within a larger organization or country to undermine its operations or goals

• The government was concerned about the presence of a fifth column within the country.
• They suspected that there was a fifth column working against them from within.
• The authorities were on high alert for any signs of a fifth column activity.
• In times of crisis, it's important to be vigilant for any potential fifth column threats.

noun a person who works secretly to aid an enemy; traitor

adjective relating to or characteristic of a fifth columnist

• The government suspected that the spy was working as a fifth columnist within the country.
• I heard that there's a fifth columnist in our group leaking information to our competitors.
• Watch out for that guy, he's a total fifth columnist.
• Her constant criticism of the company makes her seem like a fifth columnist in our team.

noun A slang term for a government agent, particularly an FBI agent

• The G man was tasked with investigating the financial fraud case.
• I heard the G man is coming to check out the situation.
• The G man is always on top of things, you can count on him.
• He's like a G man, always watching and knowing everything that's going on.

noun Underhanded or unscrupulous behavior; trickery or deception

• The investigation uncovered a complex web of skulduggery within the company.
• I knew something fishy was going on when I saw all that skulduggery happening.
• I can't believe the level of skulduggery going on behind our backs!
• His charm masked the skulduggery he was involved in.