What does "Take the rap" mean?

To accept blame or punishment, especially for someone else. To be punished for something, often taking the blame for others. The 'rap' refers to a criminal charge or blame.

How do you use "Take the rap" in a sentence?

He took the rap for his brother. Someone has to take the rap for this mess. She took the rap even though she wasn't guilty.

Take the rap

Slang Term AmericanBritish ★★★★☆ Common Casual

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Meaning: To accept blame or punishment, especially for someone else.

承担责任或惩罚，尤其是替别人。

Aceptar la culpa o el castigo, especialmente por otro.

特に他人の代わりに責任や罰を受け入れる。

특히 다른 사람을 대신하여 비난이나 처벌을 받아들이다.

To be punished for something, often taking the blame for others. The 'rap' refers to a criminal charge or blame.

为某事受罚，通常是替别人承担责任。'Rap'指的是刑事指控或责任。

Ser castigado por algo, a menudo cargando con la culpa de otros. 'Rap' se refiere a un cargo criminal o culpa.

何かの罰を受けること。しばしば他人の身代わりになる。「rap」は犯罪の容疑や責任を指す。

무언가에 대해 처벌을 받는 것으로, 종종 다른 사람 대신 비난을 뒤집어쓰는 것. 'rap'은 형사 기소나 비난을 가리킨다.

Literal meaning: Accept the criminal charge

Examples

He took the rap for his brother.
他替他兄弟背了黑锅
Cargó con la culpa por su hermano
彼は兄弟の身代わりになった
그는 형제 대신 벌을 받았다.
Someone has to take the rap for this mess.
总得有人为这烂摊子负责
Alguien tiene que cargar con las culpas de este desastre
誰かがこの失敗の責任を取らなければならない
누군가가 이 사태에 대해 책임을 져야 한다.
She took the rap even though she wasn't guilty.
虽然她无罪，但她承担了责任
Cargó con la culpa aunque era inocente
彼女は無実なのに責任を取った
그녀는 죄가 없는데도 책임을 졌다.

Pronunciation

/teɪk ðə ræp/

Usage Guide

Context: blame, punishment, sacrifice

Tone: sympathetic or critical

✓ Do Say

Took the rap for it.
为此承担了责任
Cargó con la culpa
その責任を取った
그 일로 책임을 뒤집어썼다.
Had to take the rap.
不得不承担责任
Tuvo que cargar con la culpa
責任を取らなければならなかった
책임을 져야 했다.
Taking the rap.
正在承担责任
Cargando con la culpa
責任を取っている
책임을 뒤집어쓰는 중이다.

✗ Don't Say

Took the blame
Took the blame（承担了责任）
Took the blame（Asumió la culpa）
Took the blame（責任を取った）
비난을 받아들였다
Accepted punishment
Accepted punishment（接受了惩罚）
Accepted punishment（Aceptó el castigo）
Accepted punishment（罰を受け入れた）
처벌을 감수했다

Common Mistakes

Often implies injustice—taking blame for others
Also used in non-criminal contexts

Origin & History

From 'rap' meaning a criminal charge or accusation, from American underworld slang.

Etymology: American criminal slang, early 20th century

First recorded: Early 1900s

Cultural Context

Era: Early 20th century to present

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Crime films; Gangster movies; Legal dramas

Regional notes: American origin but widely used in British English.

Variations

Take the rapTook the rapTaking the rapThe rap