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English idiom

white knight

Register · Neutral CEFR C1
Post

Figurative meaning

a friendly company or investor that rescues a target from a hostile takeover

Why this phrase?

From the knight in shining armor who saves the day.

Example

“A strategic buyer rode in as the white knight.”

Dictionary details

Component words

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

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