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

You can love this book, as I do; you can relate to her story, as I do; we can be sisters in a common cause for a woman wronged, as I am.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 21, 2026

When they occur, investigators usually search for a common cause - fuel contamination, a disruption in fuel supply, bird strikes, volcanic ash or some broader system failure.

From BBC ● Jun. 15, 2026

Exercising some muscles while ignoring others is a common cause of injury, and any trainer worth their salt will advise fitness enthusiasts to balance their routine.

From Salon ● May 8, 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

It’s the story of three regiments of aviators, only three out of a thousand aviation units fighting for a common cause.

From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein