A set phrase for a crime committed by someone who is closely involved with the targeted person or group. The robbery must have been an inside job—only three people have access to the safe.
a crime committed by someone against the organization that they work for (not used with the ) The computers were taken from a locked room, which makes it look like an inside job.
n. a crime perpetrated against an establishment by someone associated with the victimized establishment. (Underworld.) It was an inside job all right. The butler did it.