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the usual suspects

noun

Definition of the usual suspects

: the usual people or things that are suspected or thought of in a particular situation —often used humorously
  • The breakfast menu had all the usual suspects—eggs, pancakes, waffles, and French toast.

Word by Word Definitions

usual play

  1. : accordant with usage, custom, or habit : normal

  2. : commonly or ordinarily used

  3. : found in ordinary practice or in the ordinary course of events : ordinary

  1. : something usual

See the full definition of usual
suspect play suspects

  1. : regarded or deserving to be regarded with suspicion : suspected

  2. : doubtful, questionable

  1. : one that is suspected

  1. : to imagine (one) to be guilty or culpable on slight evidence or without proof

  2. : to have doubts of : distrust

  3. : to imagine to exist or be true, likely, or probable

See the full definition of suspect

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