hit squad

American  

noun

Slang.

1. a team of hit men, as one organized for the purpose of assassinating a political figure.

2. a group of political terrorists.

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Etymology

Origin of hit squad

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

The 15-strong hit squad was travelling on diplomatic passports and included several of MBS’s own bodyguards.

From BBC • Aug. 19, 2024

Olszewski testified Tuesday that she secretly recorded a phone call in June she initiated with Braddock in which he claimed the purported Russian-Ukrainian hit squad would respond quickly if he made a single phone call.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 14, 2021

Tambadou’s decision to release members of Jammeh’s former hit squad, known as the Junglers, set off a fierce debate, which is playing out in market stalls and Facebook comments.

From Washington Post • Aug. 23, 2019

According to British sources Saudi Arabia may take as long as week to receive and respond to a Turkish government report expected to detail how Khashoggi was killed by a 15-strong Saudi hit squad.

From The Guardian • Oct. 19, 2018

Iran disowned them, pointing to their Afghan identity cards, but Afghan officials paraded them on television, saying they were carrying false papers and had admitted to being sent by Iran as a hit squad.

From New York Times • Aug. 5, 2017