RAT ON Meaning and
Definition
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The phrase "rat on" is a phrasal verb that refers to the act of betraying or informing against someone, particularly to the authorities or those in power, often in exchange for personal gain or to avoid punishment oneself. It can also imply the act of revealing confidential or incriminating information about another person, leading to negative consequences for them.
When someone "rats on" another individual, they are typically breaking trust and revealing secret or damaging information that might expose the person's wrongdoing, involvement in illegal activities, or any kind of misbehavior. This can include reporting criminal activity to the police or authorities, snitching on someone in a criminal organization, or disclosing someone's secret plans or intentions. The person "ratting on" another often does so in order to protect themselves, gain a reward or favor, or to vindictively harm the other person.
The term "rat on" originates from the behavior exhibited by rats, which are known for their survival instincts and tendency to alert others about potential threats. The phrase has been adopted into everyday language to describe situations where individuals act like informants or betrayal, disregarding loyalty, trust, and camaraderie. Consequently, "rat on" is often associated with negative connotations, as it involves exposing someone's wrongdoing or providing information that leads to harm or punishment for another individual.
Common Misspellings for RAT ON
- ratten
- raton
- -ration
- rat on
- raten
- ratoon
- ratton
- rattoon
- fat on
- 5at on
- rzt on
- rwt on
- rqt on
- rar on
- ra6 on
- ra5 on
- rat kn
- rat ln
- rat pn
- rat 0n
Etymology of RAT ON
The phrase "rat on" is derived from the noun "rat" and the preposition "on". The word "rat" originated from the Old English "ræt" or "raett", which can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "rattus". It is believed to have further influenced words in various Germanic languages, such as German "Ratte" and Dutch "rat". In the early 19th century, "rat" began to be associated with people who betray or inform on others, referring to the behavior of rats historically known for their perceived treacherous habits. Around the same time, the phrase "rat on" emerged, indicating the act of informing against someone or reporting them to authorities.
Idioms with the word RAT ON
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rat on sm
The idiom "rat on someone" means to inform or betray someone by revealing their secret or wrongdoing to someone else, typically an authority figure. It implies covertly providing information that could get the person in trouble.
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