noun Street Slang

rap

RAP · noun · slang

A criminal charge or accusation.

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Definitions

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A rap is a criminal charge. To 'beat the rap' is to escape conviction, and a 'rap sheet' is a record of arrests.

“His lawyer got him off the assault rap on a technicality.”
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rap In A Sentence

His lawyer got him off the assault rap on a technicality.

Origin & Usage

American slang, early 20th century; from 'rap,' a blow or accusation.

Variants raps

People Also Ask

What does 'rap' mean in criminal slang?

A rap is a criminal charge. To 'beat the rap' means to escape conviction, and a 'rap sheet' is a record of arrests.

What does 'beat the rap' mean?

It means to escape a criminal conviction or avoid being punished for a charge.

Where does this sense of 'rap' come from?

It is early 20th-century American slang, from 'rap' meaning a blow or an accusation.

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