Crime is not just a topic for newspapers or detective shows—it’s also deeply woven into the way we speak every day. From movies to books, English-language idioms about crime add color and flair to conversations. Today, let’s explore 25 vivid expressions that help us describe situations, actions, or people linked to wrongdoing, all while boosting your English vocabulary. Whether you’re a fan of crime stories or just want to understand the language people use, this article will help you learn these phrases naturally.
I’ve come across many of these in books and TV shows while practicing my own English skills—and believe me, sprinkling them in your conversations gives your speech a real edge. Let’s dive in together!
1. Caught Red-Handed
Meaning: Found in the act of committing a crime or wrongdoing.
In a sentence: The thief was caught red-handed trying to steal a car.
Best use: When someone is discovered doing something wrong without any chance to hide it.
Other ways to say: Busted in the act, nailed, exposed.
2. Behind Bars
Meaning: In prison.
In a sentence: After years of breaking the law, he finally ended up behind bars.
Best use: Talking about someone serving a sentence.
Other ways to say: Locked up, doing time, in jail.
3. Do Time
Meaning: To serve a prison sentence.
In a sentence: He’s doing time for tax fraud.
Best use: When referring to the consequences of committing a crime.
Other ways to say: Serve time, pay the price, be incarcerated.
4. Face the Music
Meaning: Accept punishment for actions.
In a sentence: She had to face the music after falsifying financial records.
Best use: Describing someone accepting guilt or blame.
Other ways to say: Own up, take the blame, accept consequences.
5. Beat the Rap
Meaning: Escape punishment or blame.
In a sentence: He hired a good lawyer and beat the rap for the robbery.
Best use: When someone avoids being convicted.
Other ways to say: Get off, dodge charges, walk free.
6. Blow the Whistle
Meaning: Expose wrongdoing or illegal activity.
In a sentence: She decided to blow the whistle on her corrupt partners.
Best use: Talking about whistleblowers.
Other ways to say: Spill the beans, rat out, report.
7. Cover One’s Tracks
Meaning: Hide evidence of wrongdoing.
In a sentence: He tried to cover his tracks by destroying documents.
Best use: When someone tries not to get caught.
Other ways to say: Conceal evidence, hide clues, erase traces.
8. Cook the Books
Meaning: Falsify financial records.
In a sentence: They were arrested for cooking the books to hide losses.
Best use: Talking about financial fraud.
Other ways to say: Commit accounting fraud, fudge numbers.
9. On the Run
Meaning: Fleeing from authorities.
In a sentence: The suspect is still on the run.
Best use: Describing an escape.
Other ways to say: On the lam, absconding, fleeing.
10. Cat Burglar
Meaning: A thief who enters places stealthily.
In a sentence: The cat burglar slipped in through the window.
Best use: Talking about a stealthy criminal.
Other ways to say: Sneak thief, prowler, housebreaker.
11. Do a Runner
Meaning: Leave suddenly to avoid paying or facing consequences.
In a sentence: He did a runner after the meal without paying.
Best use: Talking about someone escaping a responsibility.
Other ways to say: Skip out, flee, bolt.
12. Get Away with Murder
Meaning: Do something very bad without facing consequences.
In a sentence: She gets away with murder because her boss likes her.
Best use: Exaggerated way to say someone escapes punishment often.
Other ways to say: Get off scot-free, face no consequences.
13. Go Straight
Meaning: Stop committing crimes.
In a sentence: After prison, he decided to go straight.
Best use: Talking about reform.
Other ways to say: Turn over a new leaf, clean up one’s act.
14. Break the Law
Meaning: Commit a crime.
In a sentence: He broke the law by stealing company secrets.
Best use: General way to talk about criminal acts.
Other ways to say: Commit a crime, offend, transgress.
15. Law Unto Themselves
Meaning: Act without regard for rules.
In a sentence: That company is a law unto itself.
Best use: Describing powerful people ignoring rules.
Other ways to say: Above the law, out of control.
16. Let Off the Hook
Meaning: Not punished for wrongdoing.
In a sentence: They were let off the hook with just a warning.
Best use: Talking about escaping punishment.
Other ways to say: Pardoned, excused, spared.
17. Take the Fall
Meaning: Accept blame.
In a sentence: He took the fall for his partner’s crime.
Best use: When someone takes blame for another.
Other ways to say: Shoulder the blame, be the scapegoat.
18. Crack Down
Meaning: Enforce laws strictly.
In a sentence: Police are cracking down on street crime.
Best use: Talking about stricter law enforcement.
Other ways to say: Clamp down, enforce strictly.
19. Blow One’s Cover
Meaning: Reveal a hidden identity or plan.
In a sentence: The spy blew his cover during the stakeout.
Best use: Talking about undercover work.
Other ways to say: Expose oneself, give away, reveal identity.
20. In Hot Water
Meaning: In trouble.
In a sentence: He’s in hot water over tax evasion.
Best use: Any tricky or risky situation.
Other ways to say: In trouble, in a fix.
21. Daylight Robbery
Meaning: Something outrageously expensive.
In a sentence: The prices at that café are daylight robbery!
Best use: Exaggerated complaint about high prices.
Other ways to say: Rip-off, overpriced, extortion.
22. Partners in Crime
Meaning: Close companions in mischief.
In a sentence: They’ve been partners in crime since college.
Best use: Lighthearted way to describe close friends.
Other ways to say: Sidekicks, accomplices.
23. Do a Costa del Crime
Meaning: Flee abroad to escape justice (UK slang).
In a sentence: He did a Costa del Crime after embezzling millions.
Best use: When someone escapes to sunny places to avoid jail.
Other ways to say: Skip the country, flee abroad.
24. Pay the Price
Meaning: Suffer consequences.
In a sentence: He’ll pay the price for his mistakes.
Best use: Talking about facing the fallout of wrongdoing.
Other ways to say: Face consequences, reap what you sow.
25. Beat the System
Meaning: Outsmart rules.
In a sentence: They found a loophole to beat the system.
Best use: Describing someone who finds a clever way around rules.
Other ways to say: Game the system, bend the rules.
FAQs
1. Why should I learn idioms about crime?
They make your English sound more natural and help you understand movies, books, and real conversations better.
2. Are these idioms used in everyday life?
Yes! Many are common in casual speech, journalism, and entertainment.
3. Can idioms help me sound more fluent?
Absolutely. Using idioms naturally shows comfort with the language.
4. How do I practice these idioms?
Try using one or two in your next conversation or writing exercise.
5. Where do these idioms come from?
Many come from real historical phrases, literature, and police slang.
Conclusion
Learning idioms about crime gives your English a colorful, real-world twist. Use these to describe actions, people, and situations in a way that connects deeply with others. Remember, practice is key—so pick your favorites and try them out.
If you’d like, I can help you come up with fun exercises or quizzes to test your new crime-related vocabulary. Let’s keep your learning journey going strong!
