hit squad

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hit squad¹

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

“If you don’t go to Hooters, you got a problem,” Adams said, and launched into a tirade about how “the pearl clutchers and tut-tutters and the handbag hit squad” shame young men for their natural promiscuity.

From Slate

“The political hit squad in the Texas House failed again in their persecution of Ken Paxton.”

From New York Times

From behind bars in Siberia, prominent opposition figure Vladimir Kara-Murza on Thursday urged Russians not to give up after the death of Alexei Navalny and alleged there is a state-backed hit squad taking out opponents of President Vladimir Putin, according to a video posted on a social media channel.

From Seattle Times

It was still dark out, and many patients at the Ibn Sina hospital in the West Bank were still sleeping, when the hit squad arrived.

From Los Angeles Times