noun Street Slang

mark

MARK · noun · slang

The intended victim of a con or theft.

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Definitions

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A mark is the target of a swindle, con game, or pickpocket team, the person picked out to be cheated or robbed.

“They spotted the mark the moment he flashed a thick roll at the bar.”
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mark In A Sentence

They spotted the mark the moment he flashed a thick roll at the bar.

Origin & Usage

American underworld/carnival slang, 19th–20th century.

People Also Ask

What is a 'mark' in con slang?

A mark is the intended victim of a con, swindle, or theft, the person picked out to be cheated or robbed.

Why is the victim called a mark?

The term comes from carnival and underworld slang; the victim was figuratively 'marked' for being cheated, sometimes literally chalked or tagged by a confederate.

How is 'mark' used in a sentence?

Con artists 'spot the mark' or 'work the mark,' meaning they identify and then manipulate their chosen victim.

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