noun
Street Slang
alley rat
AL-ee-RAT · noun · slang
A thief who robs people in alleys.
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Definitions
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An alley rat is a street robber who preys on victims in alleyways, mugging them for cash and valuables.
“He got jumped by an alley rat two blocks from the saloon.”
by community
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alley rat In A Sentence
He got jumped by an alley rat two blocks from the saloon.
Origin & Usage
American slang, late 19th century.
People Also Ask
What is an 'alley rat'?
An alley rat is a street robber or mugger who ambushes victims in alleyways to take their cash and valuables.
Is it an insult?
Yes, it carries a contemptuous tone, comparing the robber to a rat lurking in alleys, but it primarily names a type of street thief.
Where does it come from?
It comes from American slang of the late 19th century.
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