Grass
Slang Term
British
★★★★★ Very Common
Casual
Meaning: An informer; to inform on someone to authorities.
告密者;向当局告密
un chivato; delatar a alguien ante las autoridades
密告者、密告する
밀고자; 밀고하다
British slang for someone who informs to police, or the act of informing. From Cockney rhyming slang: 'grasshopper' = 'copper' (inform to the copper).
英国俚语,指向警察告密的人或告密行为。来自伦敦土语押韵俚语:'grasshopper'='copper'(向警察告密)。
Argot británico para alguien que delata a la policía, o el acto de delatar. Del argot rimado cockney: 'grasshopper' = 'copper' (delatar al poli).
警察に密告する人、または密告する行為を指すイギリススラング。コックニー押韻俚語から:「grasshopper」=「copper」(警官に密告する)。
영국 속어로 경찰에 밀고하는 사람 또는 밀고 행위를 가리킨다. 코크니 라이밍 슬랭에서 유래: 'grasshopper' = 'copper'(경찰에 밀고하다).
Literal meaning: Grasshopper = copper (rhyming slang)
Examples
- Don't be a grass. 别当告密者No seas chivato密告者になるな밀고자가 되지 마.
- Who grassed us up? 谁告的密?¿Quién nos ha delatado?誰が密告したんだ?누가 우리를 밀고한 거야?
- Nobody likes a grass. 没人喜欢告密者A nadie le gustan los chivatos密告者は誰からも好かれない밀고자를 좋아하는 사람은 없다.
Pronunciation
/ɡrɑːs/
Usage Guide
Context: informing, betrayal, criminal slang
Tone: contemptuous, accusatory
✓ Do Say
- Don't grass.别告密No chives密告するな밀고하지 마.
- He's a grass.他是告密者Es un chivato彼は密告者だ그는 밀고자야.
- Who grassed?谁告密了?¿Quién chivó?誰が密告した?누가 밀고했어?
✗ Don't Say
- InformInform(举报)Inform(Informar)Inform(通報する)밀고하다
- Tell onTell on(打小报告)Tell on(Delatar)Tell on(告げ口する)일러바치다
Common Mistakes
- Very negative term—grassing is despised
- From rhyming slang but used literally now
Origin & History
Cockney rhyming slang: grasshopper = copper.
Etymology: Cockney rhyming slang
First recorded: 1930s
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Working class/universal
Pop culture: British crime films; Football hooliganism
Regional notes: Very British—Americans say 'snitch.'
Variations
GrassGrassedGrass upGrasser
Related Phrases
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An informer; to inform on someone.
Rat
★★★★★
An informer; a traitor.
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★★★★★
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★★★★★
Caught in the act of doing something wrong.
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