rat on (one)
rat on (one)
To inform an authority figure of one's bad or illegal behavior. I can't believe you ratted on me like that to mom and dad—I'm never telling you anything ever again! The criminal ratted on his accomplices to avoid jail time.
See also: on, rat
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
rat on someone
Inf. to report someone's bad behavior to someone in authority; to tattle on someone. John ratted on me, and I got in trouble. If he rats on me, I'll hit him!
See also: on, rat
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
rat on
Betray a comrade by giving information, as in He ratted on his best friend to the police. [Slang; early 1900s]
See also: on, rat
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
rat on
v.
To disclose incriminating information about someone; betray someone by giving incriminating information: The hoodlum ratted on the rest of the gangsters. It was mean of you to rat on your friends.
See also: on, rat
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
rat (on someone)
in. to inform (on someone). Bill said he was going to rat on that punk.
See also: on, rat, someone
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
- rat (one) out
- rat on
- rat on someone
- rat out
- ratted
- going to tell
- tattle
- going to tattle
- grass on (one)
- grasse