Crime & Street

American slang from street culture and crime media

はじめに

アメリカのストリートスラングは映画、テレビ、音楽を通じて広まりました。「sketchy」「shady」「on the DL」などは、路地裏から主流のアメリカ英語へと移行してきた表現です。

この章では、犯罪、ストリートカルチャー、裏社会に関するアメリカのスラングを紹介します。犯罪ドラマ、ヒップホップ、そして日常のアメリカ英語で出くわす表現ばかりです。

テーマ

この章のアメリカ英語スラング一覧（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.