What Does “Partner in Crime” Mean?

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Defining the phrase and finding out if you have a partner in crime

Co-authored by Zach Pontrello and Luke Smith, MFA

Last Updated: September 19, 2023 Fact Checked

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Meaning of “Partner in Crime”

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Signs that Someone is Your Partner in Crime

A partner in crime is someone who acts as an accomplice or accessory, at least in the literal sense. Figuratively, a partner in crime is someone close to you, who you trust completely and spend most of your time with. They can be your best platonic friend or your lifelong romantic partner. We’ll give you the full rundown on what the phrase means, then give you 15 signs that someone in your life is the Bonnie to your Clyde, the Thelma to your Louise; your partner in crime.

Things You Should Know

A “partner in crime” is someone who helps plan or perform something illegal, when used literally.
More commonly, a “partner in crime” is a friend or romantic partner who you share a close bond with, trust completely, and spend a lot of time with.
Your partner in crime is always ready to spend time with you, can keep all your secrets, and is someone you feel comfortable being yourself around.

Section 1 of 2:

Meaning of “Partner in Crime”

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A partner in crime is an accomplice to something illegal. When used literally, a partner in crime is someone who helps to plan or carry out an illegal activity.^{[1]
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Research source} For example, a bank robber might tell his partner in crime to have the car ready for a getaway, or a vandal might have their partner in crime check to make sure there aren’t any witnesses before they break the law.
- Example: “Police caught one suspect, but couldn’t apprehend his partner in crime.”
- “The mastermind got a hefty prison sentence, while her partner in crime had to pay a fine.”
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A partner in crime is a close friend or romantic partner. “Partner in crime” can also be used figuratively to refer your close friends, family, romantic partner, or anyone you trust to have your back.^{[2]
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Research source} It’s often a term of endearment that means that the two of you are inseparable, and that you can count on each other for support. If someone calls you their partner in crime, they enjoy spending a lot of time with you.
- Users on dating sites sometimes say they’re “looking for a partner in crime” to mean that they want a close, committed relationship with someone they can spend a lot of time with.
- Example: “Stacy is my partner in crime. She’s been by my side through thick and thin.”
- “I never see those two apart. They’re true partners in crime.”

Section 2 of 2:

Signs that Someone is Your Partner in Crime

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You’re not called “partners in crime” for nothing. You tend to get each other into mischief—sneaking into places, sneaking out of the house, playing pranks, and who knows what else. But what’s most important is that when one of you gets caught, the other is right there to bail them out.^{[3]
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Research source} Whether that means pleading your innocence or even taking the fall—you’re ride or die, and that means you’re in it together, no matter what.
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They’re always ready to hang out. At a moment’s notice, in the middle of the night, while you’re already busy—you and your partner in crime are always ready to drop everything to spend some quality time together. When they text or call, you’re picking up that phone and saying, “Where should I meet you?” before they can even get a word out.
- It doesn’t matter if you’re taking a backpacking trip or just sitting silently on the couch—any excuse to hang is a good excuse.
Spontaneous overnight road trip? Totally. Signing up for an underwater basket weaving class? Why not. Seeing who can sing the highest note in public? You’re on. Your partner in crime rises to any occasion, and they know how to make pretty much anything fun. They bring out your adventurous side, and together you’re always broadening your horizons.
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You share all your secrets with them. Like a literal partner in crime, your partner-in-crime friend is your closest confidant. You can trust them to keep your secrets, and know that they’ll take them to their grave.^{[4]
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Research source} And of course, you keep their secrets, too. No matter how juicy, ugly, or mind-blowing, you both know that your skeletons are safe in each others’ closets.
- Also, you might tell each other other people’s secrets, but only because you know that your partner in crime won’t go spreading them around.
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You never get tired of them. If your friend or significant other is your partner in crime, you probably spend most of your time with them, and more importantly, you never not want to be with them. They’re the kind of person who ends up spending the night…three nights in a row. There’s never an occasion where they wouldn’t be welcome, or a time when you don’t want to hang out with them.
- Of course, everyone needs alone time now and then, but once your batteries are recharged, you’re reaching for your phone to hit up your partner in crime.
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You always know what each other is thinking. You and your partner in crime are practically able to read each other’s minds. A subtle glance or a knowing look tells you everything you need to know about what’s going through their head, and they always seem to have an uncanny sense of your emotions. Often, you’re so in sync that you even finish each other’s sentences.
- If you’re especially close, you don’t even need a visual cue—you just know your partner in crime so well that you’re able to tell exactly how they’ll react to something, even when they aren’t around.
When you spend so much time with a single person, whether they’re your closest friend or romantic partner (or both), you’re bound to develop some inside jokes.^{[5]
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Research source} It’s almost like you’ve got your own language. When other people hear you talking to each other, they sometimes can’t make heads or tails of it, but that’s okay, because your partner in crime knows exactly what you’re talking about.
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They stick up for you. Partners in crime have each others’ backs.^{[6]
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Research source} You won’t tolerate anyone talking bad about them, and they won’t put up with the same for you. And when things get sticky, like you go through a breakup, your partner in crime is right there with a tub of ice cream and their Netflix login to cheer you up. You can count on your partner in crime to always be on your side.
- Your partner in crime has your back, but they also know when to level with you and tell you when you messed up. They want you to be the best you can be, after all.
Being around your partner in crime is the easiest thing in the world. You don’t feel the need to put up a front or even put on your “socializing” mask. When you hang out, you’re just you, and they’re just them, even if that means pajamas and messy hair. You don’t feel the urge to change anything about yourself to make your partner in crime like you. They see you for who you are, flaws and all.
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They have the same tastes and interests as you. Your partner in crime has many of the same likes as you, and definitely shares plenty of your dislikes.^{[7]
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Research source} It’s part of the reason why you get along so well. Movies, music, even people—you’re on the same page about what you’re into, and can talk about it for hours.
- Even if your opinions split on things like which band is best or what movie is better, you have fun debating the issue.
You and your partner in crime are constantly encouraging each other to be better and to give it your all. Whether it’s school, work, romantic relationships, or anything else, they’re your loudest cheerleader and most thoughtful critic. As people, you want to see each other grow into your best selves. After all, you’re partners, and when one of you succeeds, you both succeed.
You don’t even think twice about sharing your deepest thoughts or darkest feelings with your partner in crime.^{[8]
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Research source} You know they’ll listen with sympathy and understanding and take you seriously. And on the flipside, you can count on them to tell you when you’ve said or done something out of line. Partners hold each other accountable!
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They give the best advice. When you’re going through trouble, you turn to your partner in crime to tell you what to do, and it seems like they’re never wrong. They know everything about you, after all—how you think, what makes you tick, your motivations and point of view. And more than anything, they want what’s best for you, so you trust them to never lead you astray.
- You also give the best advice to your partner in crime. Their troubles are your troubles, and so you want to solve problems together.
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Other relationships don’t get in your way. Girlfriends, boyfriends, other platonic friends—nothing gets in the way of you and your partner in crime. You know you’ll always be each other’s number one, and that no other relationship can replace what you have together. And when another relationship gets rocky, your partner in crime is the first person you turn to for guidance.
- This also means there’s no jealousy or envy when one of you makes a new friend or enters a relationship. The more, the merrier!
Even partners in crime have arguments or rough patches, that’s just human nature.^{[9]
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Research source} But no matter how bad things between you might get, you know that sooner or later you’ll come back together, apologize, forgive each other, and everything will be right again. Nothing gets between you for long, and when all is said and done, your relationship only gets stronger.