common cause

Idioms and Phrases

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.

Example Sentences

Maher, and certainly conservative critics, overstate the extent to which liberals fail to make common cause with such folks.

From The Daily Beast

Earlier this year, Miller responded to calls to stand with Cliven Bundy and declared common cause with the renegade rancher.

From The Daily Beast

While these entities may find common cause in the act of sanctioning, they often espouse different goals.

From The Daily Beast

Yet cancer remains the second-most-common cause of death in the U.S. after heart disease, killing about 580,000 people a year.

From The Daily Beast

Every day before dawn, brave men and women of different races and backgrounds rise as one, united by a common cause.

From The Daily Beast

In this one respect, the virtues and vices of the day made, it might almost be said, common cause.

From Project Gutenberg

Whenever the political parties of a country merge their differences of opinion in one common cause, the end may be foreseen.

From Project Gutenberg

You thus perceive, Madam, how the priests have made common cause with the Divinity.

From Project Gutenberg

A common cause alone could bring about union, and such a cause was soon to be found.

From Project Gutenberg

One and all metaphorically shook hands and made common cause together.

From Project Gutenberg