Here you will learn 16 English idioms and expressions about crime. A rotten apple meaning. To do time. To brush something under the carpet and more.
To complete your crime and punishment vocabulary read:
16 Idioms and Expressions about Crime
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1️⃣ A ROTTEN APPLE
Meaning: something/someone that is a bad influence on others
Example:
I’d say we’got a rotten apple in our company. Someone has disclosed confidential information to our competitors.
2️⃣ AN INSIDE JOB
Meaning: a crime committed by someone within the company, organisation, group
Example:
The police suspected that the robbery was an inside job.
3️⃣ TO SPILL THE BEANS
Meaning: to reveal information, the truth
Example:
Nobody knew the truth about the singer until her ex-husband spilt the beans in his new book.
4️⃣ TO POINT THE FINGER AT SOMEONE
Meaning: to accuse someone, to identify someone
Example:
Often in a murder case they struggled to point the finger at anyone.
We can also say 5️⃣ TO BLOW THE WHISTLE ON SOMEONE
From Intermediate to Advanced English
INSANITY: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
16 Idioms and Expressions about Crime
6️⃣ TO PUT A FOOT WRONG
Meaning: to make mistakes
Example:
Pat rarely puts a foot wrong when it comes to her style.
7️⃣ TO COVER SOMEONE’S TRACKS
Meaning: to hide or to get rid of incriminating evidence
Example:
Unless we cover our tracks properly, the police are sure to find us.
8️⃣ TO COME CLEAN
Meaning: to confess to something
Example:
The thief felt guilty so he went to the police station and came clean.
9️⃣ TO DO TIME
Meaning: to serve a prison sentence
Example:
Craig is doing time now because he stole £6m of government funds.
16 Idioms and Expressions about Crime
1️⃣0️⃣ IN HOT WATER
Meaning: in trouble
Example:
If you lie to the authorities, you’ll end up in hot water.
1️⃣1️⃣ TO CARRY THE CAN
Meaning: to take the blame, usually for somebody else
Example:
The manager refused to carry the can and take responsibility.
1️⃣2️⃣ TO BRUSH SOMETHING UNDER THE CARPET
Meaning: to hide or ignore something illegal, unpleasant or embarrassing
Example:
It’s never ok to brush racism under the carpet.
16 Idioms and Expressions about Crime
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1️⃣3️⃣ TO CATCH SOMEONE RED-HANDED
Meaning: to discover someone in the act of wrongdoing
Example:
The police caught the thief red-handed.
1️⃣4️⃣ OFF GUARD
Meaning: by surprise
Example:
The question caught the minister off guard, he fell silent and was unable to answer it.
1️⃣5️⃣ TO CUT AND RUN
Meaning: to make a quick escape
Example:
The police rushed to the scene, but the robbers had already cut and run by the time they arrived.
1️⃣6️⃣ BY THE BOOK
Meaning: strictly according to the law or rules
Example:
We have to do it by the book, otherwise we’ll get into trouble.
More information
For more information on English grammar rules, English collocations and English idioms, check out the links below:
Other words to say BRAVE in English
