Goons
/ɡuːnz/
nounB2plural
Definition
Goons are usually men who work as hired helpers or guards for criminals or powerful people. They often use violence or threats to do their job. The word can also mean rude or stupid people who follow orders without thinking.
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See It in Action
Hired tough men who use violence or threats
- •The gang sent their goons to scare the shop owner.
- •The politician was protected by goons during the rally.
- •The goons broke the windows to frighten the protesters.
Rude or stupid people who follow orders blindly
- •Some called him a goon because he did everything the boss said without thinking.
- •Stop acting like a goon and use your brain!
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "goons" like "helpers," but helpers who use force or scare others to do their job
- ✓Picture big, strong men wearing plain clothes, standing near a boss, ready to fight if needed
- ✓It's the feeling of being watched or threatened by someone who looks dangerous
- ✓Sounds like "goon" → imagine a big, clumsy man who is tough but not very smart
- ✓In movies, goons are the bad guys' helpers who try to stop the hero by using strength, not brains
- ✓NOT like "friends" (kind and helpful), goons are often scary or mean
- ✓NOT like "soldiers" (official army), goons work privately and often illegally
- ✓NOT like "guards" (protect without violence), goons often threaten or hurt people to protect or attack
Try Other Words
- •Thugs: violent people who hurt others (Use when focusing on violence and crime)
- •Henchmen: trusted helpers of a bad person (Use when emphasizing loyalty and following orders)
- •Muscle: strong people hired to use force (Use when focusing on physical strength for protection or threats)
- •Enforcers: people who force rules or threats (Use when focusing on making others obey)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "goon" + plural "-s"
- •Etymology: Possibly from American English slang in early 20th century, meaning a foolish or thug-like person
- •Historical development: Originally meant a silly or stupid person, later changed to mean hired tough men or criminals' helpers
- •Modern usage: Commonly used in movies and news to describe violent helpers or criminals' muscle
Reflect & Connect
•Why do you think people hire goons instead of using police or security guards?
•How does the word "goon" change the way you feel about someone compared to just calling them a "helper"?
Fill in the blanks
1.The gang hired goons to ___ the shop owner into paying money.
2.Goons often use ___ or threats to get what their boss wants.
3.Unlike normal helpers, goons usually work ___ the law.
4.When someone calls you a goon, they might mean you are ___ or follow orders without thinking.
5.The politician needed goons to ___ him during the protest.
6.Goons are different from guards because they often ___ people instead of just protecting them.
7.If a group uses goons, it usually means they want to ___ others by force or fear.