The term CAHOOTS IN can be broken down into five crossword solutions: ABETS (5 letters), COLLUDE (7 letters), ABET (4 letters), ALLIED (6 letters), and CONNIVED (8 letters). ABETS means to encourage or support someone in a wrong doing, while COLLUDE means to work together secretly, often for an illegal or dishonest purpose. ABET is a verb meaning to encourage or assist someone in a crime or wrongdoing. ALLIED is an adjective meaning joined by treaty, agreement, or common cause. Finally, CONNIVED means to have plotted or schemed together. All of these words are related to the idea of working together in a secret or dishonest way.