In this English lesson, you will learn 10 English idioms and expressions related to crime.
do a runner
This is an expression that we use in informal English.
Meaning: Run away after committing a crime. Run away without paying for something.
![Do a runner](https://www.crownacademyenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/thief-running-330x400.jpg)
He stole the money then he did a runner.
When the bill came, Clare did a runner from the restaurant.
on the run
Meaning: If a criminal is on the run, he/she is running and hiding from the police.
![Criminal in car](https://www.crownacademyenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/criminal-car-400x266.jpg)
The criminal has been on the run for three days.
John has escaped from prison and is now on the run.
catch someone red-handed
Meaning: Find someone in the act of committing a crime.
“catch” is an irregular verb in English.
Past form: caught
Past participle: caught
![stealing TV](https://www.crownacademyenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/stealing-TV-400x392.jpg)
The police caught him red-handed stealing the TV.
get caught red-handed
This is the same meaning as the previous expression but this is in the form of a causative verb.
![Burglar caught](https://www.crownacademyenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/burglar-caught-400x286.jpg)
John got caught red-handed with the stolen goods.
come clean
Meaning: Tell the truth about a crime you have committed. Admit to a crime you have committed.
![Police interview](https://www.crownacademyenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/police-interview-400x293.jpg)
He came clean when the police showed him the evidence.
serve time
Meaning: Spend time in prison for a crime.
![serving time prison photo](https://www.crownacademyenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/prison-photo-400x328.jpg)
Mark is serving time for robbery.
do time
This is an expression that we use in informal English.
Meaning: Spend time in prison for a crime (informal)
He was found guilty of burglary and now he is doing time.
behind bars
Meaning: If a criminal is behind bars, he/she is in prison.
![Behind bars](https://www.crownacademyenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/behind-bars2-400x224.jpg)
He has been behind bars for 10 years.
go straight
Meaning: Stop being a criminal and start leading an honest life. When a criminal is reformed, he/she goes straight.
![father with baby](https://www.crownacademyenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/father-baby.jpg)
The criminal decided to go straight when he became a father.
white-collar crime
Meaning: Nonviolent crime that is committed by professionals working in an office. Financial crimes and fraud are examples of white-collar crime.
![businessman handcuffs](https://www.crownacademyenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/businessman-handcuffs-296x400.jpg)
The CEO was arrested for several white-collar crimes including fraud and money laundering.
cook the books
This is an expression that we use in informal English.
Meaning: Change the numbers dishonestly in the accounts of a company.
![accountant money](https://www.crownacademyenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/accountant-money-400x267.jpg)
The CEO stole money from the company and cooked the books to hide it.
crime doesn’t pay
Meaning: Committing crime has negative consequences. Committing crime is not worth it. Therefore, we say this expression when we are against crime and we want to discourage people from becoming criminals.
![police presentation](https://www.crownacademyenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/police-presentation-400x267.jpg)
A police officer is talking to students about crime:
“Criminals spend many years behind bars and live to regret it. Crime doesn’t pay.“
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