entries → 勾結
TSUMUGU · TOCFL C1 (est.) · 詞
勾結 word · TOCFL C1 (est.)
勾結 ＝ 勾 ＋ 結
ㄍㄡ ㄐㄧㄝˊ · gōujié
verb — to collude, conspire; to band together for something underhand

字源 FORM — what the parts do

勾to hook (勾住)gōua wrapping arm (勹) curling round to catch hold
結to tie, knot (打結)jiéa silk thread (糸) drawn into a knot
勾結，勾住的勾，打結的結。

故事 STORY — a scene to remember it by

兩人在桌底下，一個勾（勹）住對方，一條線（糸）把他們打成一個結。
Under the table one party hooks (勹) the other, and a thread (糸) ties the two into a single knot.
字源記憶法
關 · Related
串通chuàntōngto be in cahoots — the near-synonym勾引gōuyǐnto lure in — the same 勾, hooking someone toward you