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.
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.
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
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.
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.
He came clean when the police showed him the evidence.
serve time
Meaning: Spend time in prison for a crime.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A police officer is talking to students about crime:
“Criminals spend many years behind bars and live to regret it. Crime doesn’t pay.“
