inside job

American  

noun

1. a crime committed by or in collusion with a person or persons closely associated with the victim.

   The robbery seemed an inside job, because there was no evidence of forced entry.

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inside job British  

noun

1. informal a crime committed with the assistance of someone associated with the victim, such as a person employed on the premises burgled

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Etymology

Origin of inside job

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

I’m sure that I don’t need to tell you this, but it doesn’t hurt for us all to be reminded that value and success is an inside job.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 17, 2026

This and the fact that the thieves deliberately bypassed the one crown containing fake gems were fairly solid signals, Mr. Wittman says, that the heist was an inside job.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 25, 2025

Acting for her is an inside job, and there’s no better example on the New York stage right now than this capstone performance of her glorious career.

From Los Angeles Times • May 30, 2024

Four years would pass before the next clue - when Dr Gradel would make the shocking discovery that it appeared to be an inside job.

From BBC • May 27, 2024

The conclusion was obvious: it was an inside job.

From "The Mona Lisa Vanishes" by Nicholas Day