beat the rap

beat the rap

slang To escape punishment or blame for a crime or misdeed. Primarily heard in US. With the right lawyer, you can definitely beat the rap and avoid any jail time. Celebrities always seem to be able to beat the rap after they get arrested. Don't think you're beating the rap this time, young man. You're grounded for a month.
See also: beat, rap
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

beat the rap

Sl. to evade conviction and punishment (for a crime). He was charged with drunk driving, but he beat the rap. The police hauled Tom in and charged him with a crime. His lawyer helped him beat the rap.
See also: beat, rap
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

beat the rap

Escape punishment; win acquittal. For example, The youngsters were caught shoplifting, but somehow they were able to beat the rap. The rap in this idiom means "the legal charge against one." [Slang; 1920s]
See also: beat, rap
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

beat the rap

AMERICAN, INFORMAL
If someone beats the rap, they escape blame or punishment for a crime. He beat the rap by pleading mental illness. Jon was convinced that the tapes would help him beat the rap for killing a United States senator.
See also: beat, rap
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

beat the rap

escape punishment for or be acquitted of a crime. North American informal
See also: beat, rap
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

beat the ˈrap

(American English, slang) escape without being punished: This time he didn’t beat the rap, and got three years in jail for robbery.
See also: beat, rap
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

beat the rap

tv. to evade conviction and punishment (for a crime). The police hauled Tom in and charged him with a crime. His lawyer helped him beat the rap.
See also: beat, rap
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions

beat the rap

Slang
To escape punishment or be acquitted of a charge.
See also: beat, rap
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • be in the clear
  • in the clear
  • take the
  • take the hit (for someone or something)
  • take the rap
  • take the rap (for someone or something)
  • take the rap for something
  • take the fall
  • take the fall (for someone or something)
  • a hanging offence
References in periodicals archive
But the arrogant crook was still sure he would beat the rap. He told one of the officers who arrested him: "I bet you pounds 1 of your money to pounds 1million of my money that I will never stand trial."
DRUGS BARON THEY CALLED THE MILKMAN ..HE ALWAYS DELIVERED; Mr Big who smuggled tons of coke is nailed after 11 years
KERRY football star Aodan MacGearailt is set to beat the rap on a hamstring injury and line out for An Ghaeltacht next weekend.
Gaelic World: Kerry relief over Mac
Heaven knows we here at REASON tried to do our civic duty, unpleasant as it was, nearly four years ago - we told President Clinton how he could beat the rap with minimal political fallout.
Clients from hell
Yakin beat the rap on an ankle injury to start and proved his worth with the early strike that left Ireland with a mountain to climb.
Football: Republic hit by stage Frei-ght; SWITZERLAND......2 Yakin 6, Frei 60: SWISS MISS ENDS KERR'S EURO DREAM REP OF IRELAND...0
HIP-HOP STARS BEAT THE RAP Artists such as 50 Cent freely use the n-word in their rap lyrics
Black people shouldn't say it ..white people shouldn't say it ..no one should ever utter the N-WORD
Barry eventually beat the rap on that vote of no confidence at an historic 'clear the air' county board meeting on December 5.
GAA: Mac the strife as Meath suffer yet another blow; BARRY'S BACKROOM IS LEFT IN DISARRAY
He beat the rap on a vote of no confidence on Monday night - but not before signing up to a list of terms and conditions.
GAA: BARRY: I HAVE NOT LOST OUT; But 9 conditions will cloud the issue
While Mullane missed out for Waterford, Kilkenny's injury doubt Henry Shefflin beat the rap on a high profile eye injury to line out.
GAA Championship 2004: I missed my big chance.. and let the Waterford people down; SAYS BANNED STAR JOHN MULLANE
The combative World Cup star revealed he has an appeal date against the length of the punishment in April and, in the meantime, he wants to help Sam Allardyce's team beat the rap too.
FOOTBALL: STIG IN A SURVIVAL STRUGGLE
DESPERATE DAN: Grewcock hopes to beat the rap; ALL CUT UP: Bracken has \\to be treated after the clash
RUGBY UNION: KICK KYRAN? IT WAS AN ACCIDENT; ZURICH PREMIERSHIP SPECIAL: Bath 27 Wasps 27: Grewcock: My conscience is clear