ratting
Definition
Noun 1. The act of informing on someone to authorities: The action of providing incriminating information about another person, often a criminal associate, to law enforcement or other officials, typically in exchange for leniency or other benefits. 2. The act of betraying a confidant or group: The act of revealing secrets or confidential information about a person or group, especially to an opposing or authoritative party, constituting a breach of trust.
Usage
- As a subject or object: The word "ratting" is used to name the specific act of being an informant.
- His ratting on the gang members led to several arrests.
- She was accused of ratting after the confidential plans were leaked.
Advanced Usage
- "to do a ratting": (informal) to perform the act of informing.
- He did a ratting to get a reduced sentence.
Variants and Related Words
- Rat (verb): To inform on someone.
- He refused to rat on his friends.
- Rat (noun, informal): A person who informs on others; a traitor.
- They called him a rat for talking to the police.
- Informant (noun): A more formal, neutral term for a person who provides information.
- Snitch (noun/verb, informal): A close synonym for "rat" and "ratting."
Synonyms
- Informing
- Betraying
- Snitching (informal)
- Grassing (UK informal)
Related Phrases
- Rat someone out (phrasal verb): To inform on someone.
- He ratted out his accomplices to save himself.
Noun
-
to furnish incriminating evidence to an officer of the law (usually in return for favors)
