common cause

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.

Example Sentences

I struggle to believe that a shared gripe or a joke about the absurdities of American politics brings us closer to agreeing on tax policy or a viable safety net for poor Americans or the humane treatment of immigrants, because common ground is not common cause and that’s what matters now.

From Salon

So, there I was, in common cause with those stalwart protesters, cheering the friendly drivers and flashing everyone the peace sign, and all I could think was: This s**t is not working.

From Salon

Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia in the UK - but its exact cause is not yet fully understood.

From BBC

Indeed, many of the justice campaigns for those disasters have joined the Hillsborough Law Now group, finding common cause and mutual strength.

From BBC

Does that mean we could see a day when Morrow and Kirsh find common cause?

From Salon