Crime has always been a part of human society, and over time, many idioms have developed to describe various aspects of criminal behavior. Understanding these idioms can provide insight into how crime is perceived and discussed. Here are 20 idioms that describe crime, along with their meanings and example sentences.
Idioms That Describe Crime
1. Break the law
Meaning: Commit a crime.
Example: He was arrested for breaking the law.
2. Behind bars
Meaning: In prison.
Example: The thief is now behind bars.
3. Caught red-handed
Meaning: Caught in the act of committing a crime.
Example: She was caught red-handed stealing the money.
4. Crime wave
Meaning: A sudden increase in crime.
Example: The city is experiencing a crime wave.
5. On the run
Meaning: Trying to avoid capture.
Example: The fugitive is on the run.
6. Do time
Meaning: Serve a prison sentence.
Example: He had to do time for the robbery.
7. Get away with murder
Meaning: Escape punishment for a serious crime.
Example: The corrupt politician got away with murder.
8. Hardened criminal
Meaning: A criminal with a long history of offenses.
Example: He’s a hardened criminal with no remorse.
9. Inside job
Meaning: A crime committed by someone within the organization.
Example: The robbery was an inside job.
10. Make a killing
Meaning: Earn a large profit, often dishonestly.
Example: They made a killing from insider trading.
11. Organized crime
Meaning: Crime carried out by structured groups.
Example: The mafia is involved in organized crime.
12. Petty crime
Meaning: Minor offenses or misdemeanors.
Example: Shoplifting is considered a petty crime.
13. Steal someone’s thunder
Meaning: Take credit for someone else’s idea.
Example: He stole her thunder by presenting first.
14. Take the fall
Meaning: Accept blame for a crime.
Example: He took the fall for his boss’s scam.
15. Under the table
Meaning: Secretly and illegally.
Example: They paid him under the table to avoid taxes.
16. White-collar crime
Meaning: Non-violent crime for financial gain.
Example: Embezzlement is a common white-collar crime.
17. In hot water
Meaning: In trouble, especially with the law.
Example: He’s in hot water after the fraud scandal.
18. Cop a plea
Meaning: Plead guilty to a lesser charge.
Example: He decided to cop a plea to avoid jail.
19. Fence
Meaning: A person who buys and sells stolen goods.
Example: The thief sold the jewelry to a fence.
20. Blow the whistle
Meaning: Report illegal activity to authorities.
Example: She blew the whistle on the corrupt practices.
