Rat somebody out 🐀🗣️👮

Meaning

To betray someone by informing on them to an authority.

Origin

This phrase likely emerged in the early 20th century, possibly from the idea of rats as vermin that squeal or betray their presence. Imagine a rat hole teeming with creatures; if one ventures out and gets caught, its frantic escape might seem like a 'betrayal' to the others still hiding within. The image is visceral: a sudden outburst, a panicked revelation, that exposes everything. It caught on because it paints such a clear, albeit unpleasant, picture of revealing secrets or confessing to wrongdoing, especially when it implicates others.

🔒 secrets 🎭🤥 deception 👑⚖️ power ☠️ risk 🗣️ communication

Rat somebody out represented with emoji🐀🗣️👮

This playful trio invites a dialogue on the nature of betrayal! Note how the rodent, with a glint in its eye, signals an informant's role, while the stern officer stands ready to receive the scoop. It's a whimsical whodunit, prompting us to consider the consequences of a rat's tattletale.

Examples

  • He didn't want to rat his friends out, so he took the blame himself.
  • If you rat me out to the teacher, I'll never speak to you again.
  • The sneaky goblin tried to rat out the courageous knight to the grumpy troll king.
  • Rather than rat out his accomplices, the pirate decided to bury the treasure and sail away alone.

Frequently asked questions

Is 'rat somebody out' slang or an idiom?

While 'rat somebody out' is often considered slang, it also functions as an idiom. Slang refers to informal language, while an idiom is a phrase whose meaning cannot be deduced from the literal meaning of its words. In this case, the phrase's meaning of betrayal is figurative, fitting the definition of an idiom.

What is the opposite of 'rat somebody out'?

The opposite of 'rat somebody out' is to protect or cover for someone. This could be expressed through phrases like 'keep a secret,' 'stand by someone,' or 'be loyal.'

Can you 'rat somebody out' to a friend?

While the phrase typically implies informing an authority figure or someone in power, it can be used humorously or informally to mean betraying a friend's confidence. The core meaning of betrayal remains, regardless of the recipient of the information.

Is 'rat somebody out' a recent expression?

No, the phrase 'rat somebody out' is not a recent expression and likely emerged in the early 20th century. Its common usage dates back many decades, cementing it as a well-established idiom in the English language.

Similar to "rat somebody out"

Spill the beans
Both mean to reveal secret information, but 'spill the beans' sounds more accidental or like a slip-up, whereas 'rat somebody out' is a deliberate act of betrayal to an authority
Sing like a canary
Both phrases describe informing on others, but 'sing like a canary' often implies being pressured or caught, leading to a confession that implicates others, while 'rat somebody out' is a more proactive, less coerced denunciation
Turn state's evidence
Both involve informing on accomplices, but 'turn state's evidence' is a formal, often legal, transaction where testimony is exchanged for leniency, a far cry from the informal, accusatory 'rat somebody out'

Opposite of "rat somebody out"

Keep your mouth shut
This phrase argues for silence and loyalty, the direct opposite of betraying someone by talking to authority; it champions solidarity in the face of potential discovery, making the contrast starkly about allegiance
Cover for somebody
This argues for protection and complicity, directly opposing the act of informing; the tension lies in choosing between safeguarding a person or upholding rules, a moral battlefield where loyalty wins

Related to "rat somebody out"

Snitch
A 'snitch' is the person who rats someone out, making this phrase the noun for the perpetrator of the action
Informer
Similar to 'snitch,' an 'informer' is someone who provides information to authorities, making it another label for the person performing the act of ratting someone out, often with a slightly more neutral or even professional connotation depending on context
Grass
This colloquial British term is a direct parallel to 'rat somebody out,' sharing the same informal register and sense of petty betrayal
Whistleblower
While also involving revealing information, a 'whistleblower' typically exposes wrongdoing within an organization to the public or higher authorities for the 'greater good,' a noble contrast to the self-serving betrayal implied by 'rat somebody out'