common cause

Idioms  

1. A joint interest, as in “The common cause against the enemies of piety” (from John Dryden's poem, Religio laici, or a Layman's Faith, 1682). This term originated as to make common cause (with), meaning “to unite one's interest with another's.” In the mid-1900s the name Common Cause was adopted by a liberal lobbying group.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

common cause

Many Arab countries once saw Israel as a potential partner making common cause against Iran, and some have quietly coordinated on security matters for years.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 1, 2026

While viral infections are the most common cause in the United States, bacteria, parasites and fungi can also cause the condition.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 28, 2026

To test that idea, the team exposed mice to a protein from house dust mites, a common cause of allergic asthma.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 23, 2026

The historically anachronistic animated epic introduces its neanderthal champion, Spear, and his partner, a female Tyrannosaurus named Fang, as they find common cause in grief.

From Salon ● Feb. 1, 2026

"As you intend to sail, it is vital that you make com-mon cause with Lord Stark and Lady Arryn . . ." "I make common cause with no one," Stannis Baratheon said.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin