bum rap
1. noun An unfair accusation, punishment, or reputation. Tommy was sent to jail on a bum rap because of his prior criminal history, but we know he didn't rob that bank—he was with us the day it happened! He didn't get elected because he got such a bum rap from the mainstream media during his campaign. How many people serving life in prison actually got a bum rap? Probably more than you think.
2. verb To speak badly, or perhaps lie, about someone. Often hyphenated. Oh, that guy is always bum-rapping—you can't trust him. If you keep bum-rapping about people like that, you're going to have a hard time making friends. Of course Maureen started that nasty rumor about me—she'll bum-rap about anyone.
bum-rap
To speak badly, or perhaps lie, about someone. If you keep bum-rapping about people like that, you're going to have a hard time making friends. Oh, that guy is always bum-rapping—you can't trust him. Of course Maureen started that nasty rumor about me—she'll bum-rap about anyone.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
bum rap
A false accusation or conviction; also, unfair criticism or action. For example, He claimed he was in prison on a bum rap, or The theater critics gave her last play a bum rap. This expression originated in the 1920s as underworld slang, and by the mid-1900s it was also used figuratively for other kinds of injustice.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.