Crime & Street

American slang from street culture and crime media

Introduction

American street slang has been popularised through movies, TV shows, and music. Terms like "sketchy", "shady", and "on the DL" have moved from street corners into mainstream American English.

This chapter covers American slang related to crime, street culture, and the underworld — terms you'll encounter in crime dramas, hip-hop, and everyday American speech.

Themes

All American Slang & Idioms in This Chapter (85)

• Heat Police attention, pressure from law enforcement, or a firearm.
• Five-O Street slang for police, originally from the TV show Hawaii Five-O.
• On the lam Fleeing from law enforcement; on the run.
• Narc An undercover narcotics agent; someone who reports drug activity to police.
• Ride or die An extremely loyal person who will stick with you no matter what.
• Shakedown An act of extortion; demanding money or favors through threats or intimidation.
• Rap sheet A person's criminal record; a list of past arrests and convictions.
• Fall guy A person who takes the blame for others; a scapegoat.
• Fence (criminal) A person who buys and sells stolen goods.
• Turf A gang's or group's claimed territory; one's home area or domain.
• Take the Fifth To refuse to answer a question, invoking the right against self-incrimination.
• Pinched To be arrested or caught by the police.
• Stash A hidden supply of drugs, money, or weapons; to hide something secretly.
• Throw shade To disrespect or criticize someone in a subtle, indirect way.
• Front (street) To pretend to be something you are not; to put up a false appearance.
• Throw under the bus To sacrifice someone else to save yourself; to betray someone for personal gain.
• Do time Informal expression meaning to serve a prison sentence, common in crime and l...
• Beat the rap To escape punishment or conviction for a crime.
• Go straight To stop engaging in criminal activity and live a law-abiding life.
• On the down low Done secretly or kept quiet; not to be shared with others.
• Get away clean To escape from a crime or situation without being caught or identified.
• Set up (framed) To be framed for a crime; to be deliberately placed in a compromising position.
• Lay low To stay out of sight and avoid attention, especially to avoid being caught.
• Beef (conflict) A grudge, conflict, or ongoing dispute between people.
• Grifter A con artist or swindler who makes money through deception.
• Rat out To inform on or betray someone to authorities.
• Skip town To leave a place quickly, usually to avoid trouble or responsibilities.
• Crew A close-knit group of friends or associates, especially in street culture.
• Cop a plea To accept a plea bargain; to plead guilty to a lesser charge to avoid a harsh...
• One-time Police; a warning that police are approaching.
• Sneak diss An indirect or covert insult aimed at someone without naming them explicitly.
• Hot (wanted) Wanted by the police; carrying something illegal; stolen.
• Hard time Time served in a maximum-security or particularly harsh prison environment.
• Take the heat To accept blame, criticism, or pressure that may be directed at others.
• Inside job A crime committed with help from someone within the targeted organization.
• Ride shotgun To sit in the front passenger seat of a vehicle.
• Three strikes A law or principle that imposes severe penalties after three offenses.
• Cold case An unsolved crime that is no longer being actively investigated.
• Smoke screen A deliberate action designed to distract from the truth or hide real intentions.
• Jump bail To fail to appear in court after being released on bail.
• Bounty hunter A person who tracks down fugitives for a financial reward.
• Lookout A person posted to watch for police or danger while a crime is being committed.
• Sting An undercover police operation designed to catch criminals in the act.
• Deal gone bad A transaction or arrangement that went wrong, often resulting in violence or ...
• No snitching The unwritten code that prohibits cooperating with or informing on anyone to ...
• Getaway car A vehicle used to escape from the scene of a crime.
• Double-cross To betray someone with whom you had an agreement, especially a criminal partner.
• Dirty money Money obtained through illegal or unethical means.
• Lowrider A customized car with a lowered body, often associated with Chicano/Mexican-A...
• Drop a dime To make an anonymous phone call to inform on someone, especially to police.
• Muscle An enforcer; someone hired for physical intimidation or violence.
• Shank A makeshift knife or weapon, typically made in prison; to stab someone with one.
• Dead to rights Caught red-handed with undeniable evidence of guilt.
• Wear a wire To secretly carry a recording device, usually for law enforcement.
• The hood A neighborhood, especially a low-income urban area; short for 'the neighborho...
• Code of the streets The unwritten rules governing behavior, loyalty, and survival in street culture.
• Payoff (bribe) A bribe or payment made to someone in exchange for favorable treatment or sil...
• Cover your tracks To hide evidence of your actions so you cannot be traced or caught.
• Blow the whistle To expose wrongdoing or illegal activity, often at personal risk.
• Ghost (disappear) To suddenly disappear without explanation; to cut off all contact.
• Pack heat Slang meaning to carry a concealed firearm, often heard in crime dramas and f...
• Case the joint To scout or survey a location before committing a crime there.
• Take no prisoners To be ruthless and uncompromising in pursuing a goal.
• Mean streets Dangerous, crime-ridden urban streets.
• Gangbanger An active member of a street gang.
• Smoking gun Undeniable evidence that proves guilt or wrongdoing.
• Bail out To pay bail to get someone released from jail; to rescue someone from a bad s...
• Street smart Having practical intelligence and survival skills learned from real-world exp...
• Lockdown A state of restriction where people are confined to a specific area.
• Plea deal An agreement where a defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge for a reduced...
• Take the fall To accept blame or punishment, especially for someone else.
• Casing (the neighborhood) Surveying a neighborhood or area for potential criminal activity or targets.
• Stand-up guy A person of integrity who is reliable, loyal, and honest — especially under p...
• Hit the mattresses To prepare for war or conflict; to hide out and prepare for battle.
• Flip (witness) To convince a suspect or accomplice to cooperate with prosecutors and testify...
• Mark (target) The intended victim of a crime, scam, or con game.
• Catch a case To be charged with a crime; to get in legal trouble.
• Sleep with the fishes To be murdered and disposed of, typically in a body of water.
• On the run Actively fleeing from law enforcement or other pursuers.
• Crooked cop A corrupt police officer who breaks the law or abuses their authority.
• Hardened criminal An experienced, unrepentant criminal who has been through the justice system ...
• Keep your head down To avoid drawing attention to yourself; to stay out of trouble.
• Snatch and grab A quick theft where someone grabs items and runs; a type of fast robbery.
• Perp walk The public display of a handcuffed suspect being led by police, often for med...
• Make bail To successfully post bail and be released from jail while awaiting trial.