cop a plea

cop a plea

1. To plead guilty to a lesser charge in order to avoid a trial or a more severe punishment. If you don't want to go to jail, I think your best option here is to cop a plea.
2. To give an unsatisfactory explanation for one's actions. He copped a plea about not having the instructions for the project, but I know he was in class the day I gave them out.
See also: cop
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

cop a plea

Fig. to plead guilty to a lesser charge to avoid a more serious charge or lessen time of imprisonment. He copped a plea and got off with only two months in the slammer.
See also: cop
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

cop a plea

1. Plead guilty or confess to a crime in exchange for a lighter sentence; also, plead guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for not being tried for a more serious charge. For example, Arnold decided he was better off copping a plea than facing a jury. [Colloquial; 1920s]
2. Plead for mercy; make excuses. For example, He copped a plea about not knowing his way around. [Slang; c. 1940]
See also: cop
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

cop a plea

AMERICAN, INFORMAL
If someone cops a plea, they agree to plead guilty to a crime to avoid a trial for a more serious crime. The lawyer advised him not to fight but to cop a plea.
See also: cop
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

cop a plea

engage in plea bargaining. North American
See also: cop
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

cop a ˈplea

(American English, informal) admit in court to being guilty of a small crime in the hope of receiving less severe punishment for a more serious crime: My lawyer told me that I should cop a plea and go for 10 years, instead of 25 years to life.
See also: cop
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

cop a plea

tv. to plead guilty to a lesser charge. Rocko copped a plea and got off with a week in the slammer.
See also: cop
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions

cop a plea

To plead guilty to a lesser charge so as to avoid standing trial for a more serious charge.
See also: cop
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • plead
  • plead down to (something)
  • pleading
  • pled
  • plead guilty (to something)
  • plead guilty to
  • plead to
  • plead to (something)
  • get off with (something)
  • wheedle