How do you use "Rat" in a sentence?

He's a rat—can't be trusted. Don't rat on your friends. The rat talked to the cops.

Rat

Q: What does "Rat" mean?

An informer; a traitor. Someone who betrays others by informing. Universal and very negative term.

Slang Term AmericanBritishAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Casual

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Meaning: An informer; a traitor.

告密者；叛徒

un chivato; un traidor

密告者、裏切り者

밀고자; 배신자

Someone who betrays others by informing. Universal and very negative term.

通过告密背叛他人的人。通用且非常负面的词。

Alguien que traiciona a otros delatando. Término universal y muy negativo.

密告して他人を裏切る人。普遍的で非常に否定的な用語。

밀고함으로써 동료를 배신하는 사람. 보편적이며 매우 부정적인 표현.

Literal meaning: Rat (vermin, disloyal creature)

Examples

He's a rat—can't be trusted.
他是个叛徒——不能信任
Es una rata, no se puede confiar en él
彼は裏切り者だ—信用できない
그는 배신자야—믿을 수 없어.
Don't rat on your friends.
别出卖朋友
No delates a tus amigos
友達を売るな
친구를 팔지 마.
The rat talked to the cops.
那个告密者跟警察说了
La rata habló con la policía
その密告者は警察に話した
그 밀고자가 경찰한테 불었다.

Pronunciation

/ræt/

Usage Guide

Context: informer, traitor, betrayal

Tone: contemptuous, hostile

✓ Do Say

He's a rat.
他是叛徒
Es una rata
彼は裏切り者だ
그는 배신자야.
Don't rat.
别出卖人
No chives
売るな
밀고하지 마.
Dirty rat.
卑鄙的叛徒
Rata sucia
汚い裏切り者
더러운 배신자.

✗ Don't Say

Informer
Informer（告密者）
Informer（Delator）
Informer（密告者）
밀고자
Betrayer
Betrayer（背叛者）
Betrayer（Traidor）
Betrayer（裏切り者）
배신자

Common Mistakes

Very insulting
Can mean general traitor, not just police informer

Origin & History

From the negative associations with rats.

Etymology: English slang

First recorded: Early 20th century

Cultural Context

Era: Traditional to present

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Gangster films; James Cagney 'you dirty rat'

Regional notes: Universal across English-speaking world.

Variations

RatRat outRattedDirty rat

Rat