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English idioms and expressions related to CRIME

9th April 2024 by Andrew

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

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

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

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

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

He came clean when the police showed him the evidence.

serve time

Meaning: Spend time in prison for a crime.

serving time prison photo

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

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

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

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

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

A police officer is talking to students about crime:
“Criminals spend many years behind bars and live to regret it. Crime doesn’t pay.“

Watch this lesson on YouTube

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