Flip (witness)
Meaning: To convince a suspect or accomplice to cooperate with prosecutors and testify against their associates.
'Flipping' a witness means getting them to switch sides — from loyal criminal to cooperative government witness. Usually achieved through pressure (threat of long sentences) or incentives (plea deals, witness protection).
Examples
- The FBI flipped the accountant, and he testified against the whole organization. FBI策反了那个会计师,让他作证指控整个组织。El FBI consiguió que el contable se volviera en su contra, y testificó contra toda la organización.FBIはその会計士を寝返らせ、組織全体に対して証言させた。FBI가 그 회계사를 전향시켜 조직 전체에 대해 증언하게 했다.
- They're trying to flip the lieutenant to get to the boss. 他们正试图策反那个副手,以便抓到老大。Están intentando que el lugarteniente cambie de bando para llegar al jefe.彼らはボスにたどり着くために、副官を寝返らせようとしている。그들은 보스에게 도달하기 위해 부하를 전향시키려 하고 있다.
- Once they flipped, the prosecution's case became airtight. 他们一倒戈,检方的案子就铁板钉钉了。Una vez que se pasaron al otro bando, el caso de la fiscalía se volvió incontestable.彼らが寝返った途端、検察側の立証は鉄壁になった。그들이 전향하자마자 검찰 측의 입증이 철벽이 되었다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: legal proceedings, organized crime, cooperation deals
Tone: strategic, tense
✓ Do Say
- They flipped him.他们把他策反了。Consiguieron que se volviera en su contra.They flipped him.(彼を寝返らせた。)그들이 그를 전향시켰어.
- She flipped and told everything.她倒戈了,什么都交代了。Ella cambió de bando y lo contó todo.She flipped and told everything.(彼女は寝返ってすべてを話した。)그녀가 전향해서 모든 걸 털어놨어.
✗ Don't Say
- In criminal circles, being 'flipped' is equivalent to being a rat.在犯罪圈子里,被'策反'等同于当叛徒。En los círculos criminales, ser 'flipped' equivale a ser un chivato.犯罪者の世界では「フリップされた」ことは裏切り者(rat)と同義とみなされる。범죄 조직에서 '전향당하는 것'은 배신자('쥐')와 동의어이다.
Origin & History
From the concept of flipping (turning something over). Legal/FBI usage from the 1970s–1980s during RICO prosecutions of organized crime.
Cultural Context
Era: 1970s–present
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Regional notes: All regions — especially federal law enforcement
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