stool pigeon

stool pigeon

An informant, especially a criminal working as a spy for law enforcement officers. Although the criminal agreed to help the police in order to avoid prison time, he was afraid the other gang members would kill him if they discovered he was a stool pigeon.
See also: pigeon, stool
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

stool pigeon

A decoy or informer, especially a police spy. For example, Watch out for Doug; I'm sure he's a stool pigeon for the supervisor. This term alludes to a bird tied to a stool or similar perch in order to attract other birds, which will then be shot. However, one writer believes that stool is a variant for stale or stall, both nouns used for a decoy bird before 1500 or so. [c. 1820]
See also: pigeon, stool
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

a stool pigeon

OLD-FASHIONED
A stool pigeon is someone who gives secret information to the police. There's nothing the mob hates more than a stool pigeon. Note: This expression is used to express disapproval. Note: This expression comes from the old practice of putting a wooden pigeon on a seat to trick other pigeons.
See also: pigeon, stool
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

stool (pigeon)

and stoolie (ˈstul ˈpɪdʒən and ˈstuli)
n. an informer. (Originally underworld.) Some stool pigeon spilled the works to the boys in blue. I’m no stoolie!
See also: pigeon, stool
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • a stool pigeon
  • stoolie
  • set a thief to catch a thief
  • throw the book at
  • throw the book at (one)
  • throw the book at somebody
  • throw the book at someone
  • make (one's) bones
  • foul play
  • bust out
References in periodicals archive
Stool Pigeon calmly reminds King, "What if you in somebody else's circle and you don't know it" (203).
"... if you live long enough the boat will turn around": The Birth and Death of Community in Three Plays by August Wilson
Stool Pigeon Lou Myers King Russell Hornsby Ruby Lynda Gravatt Mister Curtis McClarin Tonya Cherise Boothe Elmore Stephen McKinley Henderson Regardless of how fine a production it receives, "King Hedley II" will always remain one of the lesser works in the August Wilson canon, a shadow of its glittering companion piece, "Seven Guitars." That said, within the ambitious context of Signature Theater's retrospective season of Wilson plays, Derrick Sanders' production is a laudable piece of work, gorgeously acted and deeply felt by a tight ensemble of thesps who know their way around the inner landscape of characters that have grown to haunt us over the years.
King Hedley II
The label's most popular artist Ja Rule has already written lyrics saying 50 Cent is a stool pigeon. In return, 50 Cent has taunted his nemesis on his track, Wangsta.
Is 50 Cent the baddest gangsta rapper.. or just a boy called Boo Boo?; U.S. STAR HITS DUBLIN & DEFENDS HIS ACT
The awesome Jeremy Piven (Ari from Entourage) plays Buddy "Aces" Israel, a sleazy magician who is linked to the Las Vegas mob, and who decides to turn stool pigeon against his gangster pals.
SATELLITE PICK OF THE DAY
Ten years later, Lau (morphed into Andy Lau) has become an inspector with a spotless record, and Chan (Tony Leung Chiu-wai) a nervy stool pigeon living on his wits and close to burn-out, his real identity known only to Wong.
Infernal Affairs
When, thanks to the resident stool pigeon, Modou's squirreled-away savings fall prey to Serigne, Modou steals from the marabout only to be caught and severely beaten.
Almodou
MEXICAN RAVE: Hamed on the receiving end as Barrera scores with a left; STOOL PIGEON: Emanuel Steward offers advice between rounds; GOTCHA AGAIN: Hamed taking a hammering
BOXING: Naseem is no boxing 'great', but an over-hyped, cheap-talking pretender; BUT HUMILIATED HAMED SAYS HE CAN RESCUE HIS BATTERED IMAGE
However, when he decides to go stool pigeon against his gangster pals, he becomes their number one target.
SATELLITE PICK OF THE DAY
Stool Pigeon Stephen McKinley Henderson King Brian Stokes Mitchell Ruby Leslie Uggams Mister Monte Russell Tonya Viola Davis Elmore Charles Brown By any standard but the playwright's own, August Wilson's "King Hedley II" probably would rank as an impressive accomplishment.
KING HEDLEY II
King Hedley II Tony Todd Ruby Marlene Warfield Mister Russell Andrews Tonya Ella Joyce Stool Pigeon Mel Winkler Elmore Charles Brown A dramatic howl of anguish at the horrors wrought in the 1980s by guns and crime, family dysfunction and urban neglect, August Wilson's unflinching new play may be the most passionate work that this astonishing American author has penned to date.
KING HEDLEY II
A recreation of the victim's face identifies him as Nicky LaGrassa, a former hitman who turned stool pigeon and brought down members of the Mafia.
Saturday tv: A Mel of a mess; CRITIC'S CHOICE
Sam then visits a mobster's restaurant where a stool pigeon is being brutally tortured for info about a contract put out by one mob head on another.
Am Fa
In Mafia tradition, it is a sign that a hit has been carried out on a stool pigeon.
MAFIA'S REVENGE ON GURU VERSACE; Hitman's curse as he executes fashion legend
Thousands died in Colombia, Mexico and other countries that grappled with a serious drug problem, with the narcos killing not only law enforcers but also members of rival cartels, suspected stool pigeons and anyone who got caught in the crossfire, including children.
EDITORIAL - Brazen violence
This use of "stool pigeons" was common practce throughout the war.
Moment in MI Hidtory: Value and Handling of Prisoners in World War I