stool-pigeon

A stool-pigeon informed the police about the illegal activity.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • An informer or decoy: A "stool-pigeon" is a person who acts as an informant, especially to the police or authorities, often by pretending to be a participant in illegal or suspicious activities to gather evidence.
   • A person used as a decoy: It can also refer to someone who lures others into a trap or betrays accomplices for personal benefit or leniency.

Usage Examples

• (An informant who pretends to be a member.)
• (A person who betrays others for a reduced punishment.)
• (A decoy used by law enforcement.)

Advanced Usage

• "to act as a stool-pigeon": to serve as an informant or betrayer.

  • The suspect agreed to act as a stool-pigeon in exchange for immunity. (He provided information to authorities.)

• "to turn stool-pigeon": to become an informant, often after being caught.

  • After his arrest, he turned stool-pigeon and named his partners. (He switched sides to cooperate with law enforcement.)

Variants and Related Words

• Stool-pigeon (also spelled without hyphen: stool pigeon): the same term, used interchangeably.
• Stoolie (n, informal): a shortened form of stool-pigeon.
  • The mobsters suspected there was a stoolie in their midst. (An informant within the group.)

Synonyms

• Informer: a person who gives information about illegal activities.
• Snitch (informal): someone who tells on others, especially to authorities.
• Rat (slang): a traitor or informant within a criminal group.

Related Idioms

• "Sing like a canary": to inform on someone, especially in a detailed way.

  • When interrogated, he sang like a canary and exposed the whole operation. (He provided full information as a stool-pigeon.)

• "Drop a dime": to make a phone call to inform on someone (dated slang).

  • He dropped a dime on his former associates. (He called the police to act as an informant.)