Crew vs You're a pack of hounds

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Crew

Top 2,000 (common)B2noun

You're a pack of hounds

InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: CrewMost common: Crew
 CrewYou're a pack of hounds
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/kruː/","/kruːz/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kruː/","/kruːz/"]/🇬🇧 //jʊəre ə pæk ʌv haʊndz//🇺🇸 //jʊr ə pæk əv haʊndz//
MeaningA group of people working together, especially on a ship or airplane.You're a group of eager and competitive people.
ExampleThe film set was bustling with activity as the crew prepared for the next shot.When they all started shouting for the win, I thought, 'You're a pack of hounds!'
RegisterNeutralInformal
How commonTop 2,000 (common)Beyond 10,000 (less common)
CEFR levelB2-
Part of speechnoun
Collocationsexperienced, inexperienced, novice, join, lead, assemble, member, in a/​the crew, cast and crew, a member of the crew, experienced, inexperienced, novice, join, lead, assemble, member, in a/​the crew, cast and crew, a member of the crew, experienced, inexperienced, novice, join, lead, assemble, member, in a/​the crew, cast and crew, a member of the crewpack of wolves, chase a goal, hounds of competition, run in packs
Antonymspassenger, civilian-
Common mistakesConfused with 'group' or 'team' - 'crew' is often specific to work contexts., Using 'crews' as a singular noun - 'crew' is often treated as a collective noun.Confusing it with 'pack of dogs', which is a literal meaning., Using it in overly serious situations, where humor is inappropriate., Misunderstanding it as an insult rather than a playful comment.
Usage notesUse 'crew' to refer to a specific team, often in contexts like ships, planes, or film production. It's neutral and widely accepted in many situations. Avoid using it in casual contexts unless referring to sports teams.This phrase is often used jokingly or sarcastically to refer to a group of people pursuing something with enthusiasm or aggressiveness. It's not suitable for formal contexts.

See it in real clips

Crew
You're a pack of hounds

Frequently asked questions: Crew vs You're a pack of hounds

What's the difference between Crew and You're a pack of hounds?

Crew: A group of people working together, especially on a ship or airplane. You're a pack of hounds: You're a group of eager and competitive people.

Which is more formal: Crew and You're a pack of hounds?

Crew is the most formal of these.

Which is more common: Crew and You're a pack of hounds?

Crew is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Crew: The film set was bustling with activity as the crew prepared for the next shot. You're a pack of hounds: When they all started shouting for the win, I thought, 'You're a pack of hounds!'

Can I use Crew and You're a pack of hounds interchangeably?

Not always. Crew and You're a pack of hounds are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.

Related comparisons