Idioms About Crime: A Comprehensive Guide

Idioms are an essential part of the English language, adding color and nuance to everyday speech. Understanding idioms, particularly those related to crime, can significantly enhance comprehension and fluency.

This article delves into various idioms about crime, explaining their meanings, origins, and usage. Whether you’re an ESL learner, a student of linguistics, or simply someone looking to enrich their vocabulary, this guide offers a comprehensive exploration of crime-related idioms.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Definition of Idioms About Crime
• Structural Breakdown
• Types and Categories of Crime Idioms
• Examples of Idioms About Crime
  • General Crime Idioms
  • Police and Law Enforcement Idioms
  • Punishment and Justice Idioms
  • Deception and Trickery Idioms
  • Escape and Avoidance Idioms
• Usage Rules
• Common Mistakes
• Practice Exercises
• Advanced Topics
• FAQ
• Conclusion

Definition of Idioms About Crime

An idiom is a phrase or expression whose meaning cannot be understood from the ordinary meanings of the individual words. Instead, the phrase has a figurative meaning that is known through common use.

Idioms about crime are expressions that use figurative language to describe criminal activities, legal proceedings, or related concepts. These idioms often provide a more vivid and engaging way to discuss serious topics.

Classification: Crime idioms can be classified based on the specific aspect of crime they refer to, such as the act itself, the investigation, the punishment, or the perpetrator’s behavior. They often appear in everyday conversations, news reports, and legal contexts.

Function: The function of crime idioms is to convey complex ideas in a concise and memorable way. They add color and depth to language, making it more expressive and engaging. They also allow speakers and writers to communicate sensitive or controversial topics with a degree of indirectness.

Contexts: These idioms appear in various contexts, including news media, legal documents, crime novels, and everyday conversations. Understanding these idioms is crucial for interpreting these texts accurately and for communicating effectively about crime-related topics.

Structural Breakdown

The structure of idioms about crime, like all idioms, is fixed. This means that the words cannot be changed or rearranged without altering the meaning or rendering the idiom nonsensical.

The grammatical structure varies widely, including phrases, clauses, and even sentences.

Many idioms are based on metaphorical language, where a concept is represented by something else. For instance, “to cook the books” uses the metaphor of cooking to describe the act of falsifying financial records.

The structure is usually simple, often following a basic subject-verb-object pattern, but the meaning is far from literal.

Understanding the structure also involves recognizing the cultural context. Many idioms originate from specific historical events or social practices, and their meanings are tied to these backgrounds.

Therefore, learning the historical context of an idiom can provide a deeper understanding of its meaning and usage.

Types and Categories of Crime Idioms

Crime idioms can be categorized based on the aspect of crime they relate to. Here are some common categories:

Idioms Describing Criminal Acts

These idioms describe the actions taken by criminals. They can range from petty theft to serious offenses.

Idioms Related to Law Enforcement

These idioms describe the activities of the police and other law enforcement agencies, including investigations, arrests, and interrogations.

Idioms Describing Punishment and Justice

These idioms relate to the legal consequences of crime, such as trials, sentencing, and imprisonment.

Idioms About Deception and Trickery

These idioms describe the methods used by criminals to deceive their victims or evade detection.

Idioms Related to Escape and Avoidance

These idioms describe attempts to escape from the law or avoid capture after committing a crime.

Examples of Idioms About Crime

The following sections provide detailed examples of idioms related to crime, categorized by their specific area of focus. Each table includes a range of examples to illustrate the varied uses of these idioms.

General Crime Idioms

This section covers idioms that broadly relate to criminal activity and illegal behavior. These phrases are commonly used to describe various aspects of crime in general terms.

The table below presents examples of general crime idioms with their meanings and example sentences. Understanding these idioms can greatly improve comprehension of crime-related discussions and news.

Idiom	Meaning	Example Sentence
Clean up one’s act	To improve one’s behavior and stop doing illegal or immoral things.	After getting arrested, he decided to clean up his act and stay out of trouble.
Cook the books	To falsify financial records.	The accountant was arrested for cooking the books to hide the company’s losses.
Get away with murder	To do something wrong and not be punished for it.	He always manages to get away with murder, no matter how bad his behavior is.
Go straight	To stop committing crimes and live an honest life.	After serving his time, he promised to go straight and find a legitimate job.
Inside job	A crime committed by someone within an organization.	The police suspect that the robbery was an inside job.
On the take	Accepting bribes or being corrupt.	The mayor was accused of being on the take.
Pull a fast one	To deceive or trick someone.	He tried to pull a fast one on me, but I saw through his scheme.
Take the fall	To accept blame or punishment for someone else’s crime.	He agreed to take the fall for his friend to protect him.
Three strikes	A policy where a person convicted of three felonies receives a harsh sentence.	Under the three strikes law, he received a life sentence.
Wash one’s hands of	To disclaim responsibility for something.	The company decided to wash its hands of the scandal.
A slap on the wrist	A very light punishment.	He only got a slap on the wrist for such a serious offense.
Bend the rules	To deviate from the standard rules, often for personal gain.	The officer was accused of bending the rules to help his friend.
Cross the line	To do something unacceptable or illegal.	He crossed the line when he threatened his neighbor.
Fudge the numbers	To manipulate figures or data dishonestly.	They were caught fudging the numbers to avoid paying taxes.
Get off scot-free	To avoid punishment altogether.	Despite the evidence, he managed to get off scot-free.
Hand in the cookie jar	To be caught doing something wrong.	He was caught with his hand in the cookie jar when they found the stolen goods in his car.
In broad daylight	To do something illegal or shocking openly and without concealment.	The robbery happened in broad daylight, which was very brazen.
Jump bail	To fail to appear in court after being released on bail.	He jumped bail and fled the country.
Kickback	A secret return of part of a sum received or claimed, as a result of a secret agreement or conspiracy.	The contractor was giving the mayor a kickback for awarding him the project.
Launder money	To conceal the origins of illegally obtained money by passing it through a complex sequence of transactions.	The criminal was using shell corporations to launder money.
Make a killing	To make a lot of money quickly and easily, sometimes dishonestly.	He made a killing on the stock market by insider trading.
No questions asked	Without any conditions or inquiries.	The fence would buy the stolen goods, no questions asked.
Oil the wheels	To facilitate something, often by illegal or unethical means.	They had to oil the wheels with bribes to get the project approved.
Payola	Secret payment or bribe, especially to promote a particular product or service.	The radio station was accused of accepting payola to play certain songs.

Police and Law Enforcement Idioms

This section focuses on idioms that describe the activities and actions of police and other law enforcement agencies. These idioms often relate to investigations, arrests, and legal procedures.

The following table provides examples of idioms related to police and law enforcement, along with their meanings and example sentences. These idioms are frequently used in news reports and crime dramas.

Idiom	Meaning	Example Sentence
Book ’em	To officially record an arrest.	The officer said, “Book ’em, Danno!”
Bust	To arrest someone.	The police busted the drug dealers in a sting operation.
Cop a plea	To plead guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a lighter sentence.	He decided to cop a plea to avoid a lengthy trial.
Get off someone’s back	To stop bothering or harassing someone.	The detective wouldn’t get off his back until he confessed.
Read someone their rights	To inform someone of their legal rights upon arrest.	The officer read him his rights before questioning him.
Bring to justice	To arrest and prosecute someone for a crime.	The police are determined to bring the criminals to justice.
Call in the Feds	To involve federal law enforcement agencies.	When the local police couldn’t solve the case, they called in the Feds.
Close the net	To surround or trap someone.	The police are closing the net around the suspect.
Crackdown	Intensified effort to enforce laws.	The city launched a crackdown on illegal parking.
Dragnet	A system of coordinated measures for apprehending criminals or suspects.	The police cast a dragnet across the city to find the escaped convict.
Fingerprint	To take someone’s fingerprints for identification.	They fingerprinted all the suspects at the scene.
Get a warrant	To obtain a legal document authorizing an arrest or search.	The police had to get a warrant before they could search the house.
Hot pursuit	An immediate and active pursuit of a suspect.	The police were in hot pursuit after the suspect fled the scene.
Keep tabs on	To monitor or watch someone closely.	The detectives were keeping tabs on the suspect’s movements.
Lay down the law	To assert authority or enforce rules strictly.	The principal had to lay down the law after the students misbehaved.
On patrol	To be on duty, monitoring an area for criminal activity.	The officers were on patrol when they spotted the suspicious vehicle.
Pat down	To search someone by touching their clothing.	The officer patted down the suspect before placing him in the patrol car.
Questioning	The act of asking someone questions, especially to investigate a crime.	The suspect was undergoing intense questioning by the detectives.
Raid	A sudden surprise attack by police or other law enforcement.	The police conducted a raid on the suspected drug den.
Stakeout	A period of surveillance.	The detectives were on a stakeout, waiting for the suspect to appear.
Take into custody	To arrest and detain someone.	The police took him into custody after the interrogation.
Undercover	Working secretly to investigate a crime.	The detective was working undercover to infiltrate the gang.
Wiretap	To secretly listen to someone’s phone calls.	The police obtained a warrant to wiretap the suspect’s phone.
Zero tolerance	A policy of strictly enforcing laws and rules, with no exceptions.	The school has a zero tolerance policy for bullying.

Punishment and Justice Idioms

This section includes idioms that describe the consequences and legal processes related to crime, such as trials, sentencing, and imprisonment. These idioms often reflect the severity and implications of legal punishments.

The table below presents examples of idioms related to punishment and justice, with their meanings and example sentences. These idioms are often used in discussions about the legal system and its outcomes.

Idiom	Meaning	Example Sentence
Face the music	To accept the consequences of one’s actions.	He had to face the music for his crimes.
Hang ’em high	To impose a severe punishment.	The judge wanted to hang ’em high to deter others.
Serve time	To spend time in prison.	He had to serve time for his involvement in the robbery.
Throw the book at someone	To give someone the maximum possible punishment.	The judge decided to throw the book at him for his repeated offenses.
Do hard time	To serve a difficult prison sentence.	He did hard time in a maximum-security prison.
An eye for an eye	The principle that a person who has injured another person is penalized to a similar degree.	Some people believe in an eye for an eye when it comes to justice.
Behind bars	In prison.	He spent many years behind bars for his crimes.
Capital punishment	The death penalty.	Capital punishment is a controversial topic in many countries.
Clear one’s name	To prove one’s innocence.	He fought for years to clear his name.
Come clean	To confess or admit wrongdoing.	He decided to come clean about his involvement in the scheme.
Double jeopardy	Being tried twice for the same crime.	The principle of double jeopardy protects individuals from being tried again for the same offense.
Fit the crime	To be an appropriate punishment for the offense.	The sentence should fit the crime, reflecting the seriousness of the offense.
Guilty as charged	Admitting guilt to all accusations.	He pleaded guilty as charged in court.
Hand down a sentence	To announce a punishment in court.	The judge will hand down a sentence next week.
In the clear	Free from suspicion or blame.	After the investigation, he was found to be in the clear.
Justice is served	When a fair outcome is achieved in a legal case.	Many felt that justice was served when the verdict was announced.
Keep out of trouble	To avoid engaging in illegal or problematic activities.	He promised to keep out of trouble after his release from prison.
Let off the hook	To be released from a responsibility or punishment.	He was let off the hook due to lack of evidence.
Make amends	To do something to correct a past wrong.	He tried to make amends for his past mistakes.
Pay the price	To suffer the consequences of one’s actions.	He had to pay the price for his involvement in the crime.
Right the wrong	To correct an injustice or mistake.	The organization is dedicated to righting the wrongs of the past.
Scapegoat	Someone who is blamed for the mistakes of others.	He was made a scapegoat to protect the real culprits.
Take the rap	To accept blame or punishment, especially for something one did not do.	He took the rap to protect his younger brother.
Under investigation	Being examined by authorities for possible wrongdoing.	The company is currently under investigation for fraud.

Deception and Trickery Idioms

This section includes idioms that describe the methods and tactics used to deceive or trick others, often in the context of criminal activity. These idioms highlight the cunning and dishonesty involved in such acts.

The following table provides examples of idioms related to deception and trickery, along with their meanings and example sentences. These idioms are often used to describe scams, frauds, and other forms of dishonesty.

Idiom	Meaning	Example Sentence
A con artist	A person who deceives others for personal gain.	The con artist tricked many people out of their savings.
A wolf in sheep’s clothing	Someone who appears harmless but is actually dangerous.	He seemed friendly, but he was a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Bamboozle	To deceive or trick someone.	He tried to bamboozle me with his fake credentials.
Pull the wool over someone’s eyes	To deceive someone.	He tried to pull the wool over my eyes, but I saw through his lies.
Run a scam	To operate a fraudulent scheme.	They were running a scam to defraud elderly people.
A crooked deal	A dishonest or illegal transaction.	The business deal turned out to be a crooked deal.
Bait and switch	A deceptive sales tactic where customers are lured in with a cheap item, only to be offered a more expensive one.	The store used a bait and switch tactic to sell more expensive products.
Catch red-handed	To catch someone in the act of doing something wrong.	He was caught red-handed stealing from the cash register.
Cover up	To hide or conceal a mistake or wrongdoing.	They tried to cover up the scandal to protect their reputation.
Double-cross	To betray someone.	He double-crossed his partners and ran off with the money.
Fake it till you make it	To pretend to be competent or successful until one actually achieves success.	He had to fake it till he made it in the competitive business world.
Fly by night	Unreliable or untrustworthy.	The company was a fly-by-night operation that disappeared overnight.
Give a false impression	To create a misleading idea.	He tried to give a false impression of wealth to impress her.
Hoodwink	To deceive or trick someone.	He managed to hoodwink the investors with his false promises.
Lead astray	To mislead someone.	He was led astray by bad influences.
Mislead	To give someone the wrong idea or impression.	The advertisement was designed to mislead consumers.
Play a trick on	To deceive or prank someone.	They decided to play a trick on their friend for his birthday.
Rip off	To cheat or overcharge someone.	The tourist was ripped off by the taxi driver.
Sell a bill of goods	To deceive someone with false promises.	He tried to sell me a bill of goods, but I didn’t believe him.
Take for a ride	To deceive or exploit someone.	The salesman took him for a ride by selling him a faulty product.
Trick up one’s sleeve	A secret plan or strategy.	He always has a trick up his sleeve to get what he wants.
Under false pretenses	Deceitfully.	He obtained the loan under false pretenses.
Vamp up	To fabricate or exaggerate something.	The witness vamped up her testimony to make the story more dramatic.
White lie	A harmless or trivial lie.	She told a white lie to avoid hurting his feelings.

Escape and Avoidance Idioms

This section features idioms that describe attempts to escape from the law or avoid capture after committing a crime. These idioms often portray the desperation and resourcefulness involved in evading justice.

The table below provides examples of idioms related to escape and avoidance, along with their meanings and example sentences. These idioms are commonly used in crime stories and narratives.

Idiom	Meaning	Example Sentence
Abscond with	To run away with something, usually money or valuables.	He absconded with the company funds and fled the country.
Break out	To escape from prison.	They planned to break out of jail.
Cover one’s tracks	To hide or conceal evidence of one’s actions.	He tried to cover his tracks, but the police found the evidence.
Dodge a bullet	To narrowly avoid a dangerous situation.	He dodged a bullet when the police didn’t find the stolen goods.
Flee the scene	To run away from where a crime has been committed.	The suspect fled the scene before the police arrived.
Beat the rap	To avoid conviction for a crime.	Despite the evidence, he managed to beat the rap.
Bolt	To run away suddenly.	He bolted when he saw the police approaching.
Clear out	To leave a place quickly, to avoid detection.	They decided to clear out before the authorities arrived.
Cut and run	To abandon a situation or responsibility quickly.	When the deal went sour, he decided to cut and run.
Disappear into thin air	To vanish without a trace.	The suspect seemed to disappear into thin air after the robbery.
Duck and cover	To take evasive action to avoid danger.	He had to duck and cover when the shooting started.
Elude capture	To avoid being caught.	The fugitive managed to elude capture for several years.
Escape the law	To avoid being arrested or punished.	He tried to escape the law by fleeing the country.
Go into hiding	To conceal oneself to avoid being found.	He decided to go into hiding after the crime.
Keep a low profile	To avoid attracting attention to oneself.	He tried to keep a low profile after his release from prison.
Lay low	To remain out of sight.	He decided to lay low for a while until things cooled down.
Make a getaway	To escape after committing a crime.	They planned a getaway after the bank robbery.
On the lam	Fleeing from the law.	He was on the lam for several months before being caught.
Outrun the law	To escape being caught by law enforcement.	He managed to outrun the law, at least for a while.
Run for the hills	To flee from danger or trouble.	When the scandal broke, everyone wanted to run for the hills.
Slip through one’s fingers	To escape from someone’s grasp or control.	The suspect slipped through their fingers during the chase.
Take flight	To run away suddenly.	He took flight when he realized the police were onto him.
Underground	In hiding or living secretly.	He went underground to avoid being arrested.
Vanish without a trace	To disappear completely, leaving no clues behind.	The witness vanished without a trace before the trial.

Usage Rules

Using idioms correctly requires an understanding of their specific meanings and contexts. Here are some general rules to follow:

• Use idioms in appropriate contexts: Consider the audience and the situation. Idioms are more suitable for informal conversations and creative writing rather than formal reports or academic papers.
• Don’t use idioms excessively: Overusing idioms can make your speech sound unnatural and forced. Use them sparingly to add emphasis and color.
• Be aware of cultural differences: Idioms can vary significantly between cultures. Ensure that the idioms you use are appropriate for the cultural background of your audience.
• Understand the nuances: Some idioms have subtle differences in meaning. Make sure you understand the specific nuance before using an idiom.
• Maintain the structure: Idioms have a fixed structure and cannot be altered without losing their meaning. Use the exact wording of the idiom.

Common Mistakes

Learners often make mistakes when using idioms due to their non-literal meanings. Here are some common errors and how to avoid them:

• Literal interpretation: Interpreting idioms literally instead of understanding their figurative meaning.
• Incorrect word choice: Substituting words in an idiom, which can change its meaning or make it nonsensical.
• Misunderstanding the context: Using an idiom in an inappropriate context, making the communication awkward or confusing.
• Overuse of idioms: Using too many idioms in a single conversation, which can make the speech sound unnatural.

Here’s a table illustrating common mistakes with idioms about crime:

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
He cooked the books literally.	He cooked the books to hide the fraud.	“Cook the books” means to falsify financial records, not literally cook books.
She got away with a little murder.	She got away with murder.	The idiom is “get away with murder,” not “a little murder.”
He will face the music soon, literally.	He will face the music soon.	“Face the music” means to accept the consequences, not literally face music.
They ran a scam on the street.	They ran a scam to defraud investors.	“Run a scam” means to operate a fraudulent scheme, not physically run a scam.

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding of idioms about crime with these exercises.

Exercise 1: Multiple Choice

Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in each sentence.

Question	Options	Answer
1. He had to face the music for his actions.	a) Listen to music b) Accept the consequences c) Play an instrument d) Ignore the problem	b)
2. The accountant was caught cooking the books.	a) Preparing a meal b) Writing a novel c) Falsifying records d) Reading a cookbook	c)
3. The police busted the drug dealers.	a) Fixed b) Arrested c) Released d) Questioned	b)
4. He decided to go straight after his release.	a) Walk in a line b) Become a lawyer c) Stop committing crimes d) Travel far	c)
5. She managed to get away with murder.	a) Commit a crime b) Avoid punishment c) Seek revenge d) Confess	b)

Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences with the correct idiom from the list below.

Idiom List: clean up his act, take the fall, on the take, pull a fast one, wash their hands of

1. After getting caught, he promised to __________ and stay out of trouble.
2. The company decided to __________ the scandal to protect their reputation.
3. He was accused of being __________ and accepting bribes.
4. He tried to __________ on me, but I saw through his scheme.
5. He agreed to __________ for his friend to protect him from the police.

Answers:

1. clean up his act
2. wash their hands of
3. on the take
4. pull a fast one
5. take the fall

Advanced Topics

For advanced learners, exploring the etymology and historical context of crime idioms can provide deeper insights. Researching the origins of idioms like “cook the books” or “face the music” reveals fascinating aspects of language evolution and cultural history.

Another advanced topic is the use of idioms in literature and media. Analyzing how authors and filmmakers use crime idioms to create atmosphere, develop characters, and convey themes can enhance your appreciation of these art forms.

Additionally, comparing crime idioms across different languages can highlight cultural differences in perceptions of crime and justice. This comparative approach can broaden your linguistic and cultural awareness.

FAQ

Conclusion

Idioms about crime offer a fascinating glimpse into the ways language reflects and shapes our understanding of criminal activities and the legal system. By mastering these idioms, learners can enhance their comprehension, fluency, and cultural awareness.

This guide has provided a comprehensive overview of crime-related idioms, including their definitions, structures, usage rules, and common mistakes. With continued practice and exposure, you can confidently incorporate these idioms into your everyday communication and appreciate the richness and complexity of the English language.