beat the rap

beat the rap

slang To escape punishment or blame for a crime or misdeed. Primarily heard in US. With the right lawyer, you can definitely beat the rap and avoid any jail time. Celebrities always seem to be able to beat the rap after they get arrested. Don't think you're beating the rap this time, young man. You're grounded for a month.

See also: beat, rap

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

beat the rap

Sl. to evade conviction and punishment (for a crime). He was charged with drunk driving, but he beat the rap. The police hauled Tom in and charged him with a crime. His lawyer helped him beat the rap.

See also: beat, rap

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

beat the rap

Escape punishment; win acquittal. For example, The youngsters were caught shoplifting, but somehow they were able to beat the rap. The rap in this idiom means "the legal charge against one." [Slang; 1920s]

See also: beat, rap

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.

beat the rap

AMERICAN, INFORMAL

If someone beats the rap, they escape blame or punishment for a crime. He beat the rap by pleading mental illness. Jon was convinced that the tapes would help him beat the rap for killing a United States senator.

See also: beat, rap

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

beat the rap

escape punishment for or be acquitted of a crime. North American informal

See also: beat, rap

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

beat the ˈrap

(American English, slang) escape without being punished: This time he didn’t beat the rap, and got three years in jail for robbery.

See also: beat, rap

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

beat the rap

tv. to evade conviction and punishment (for a crime). The police hauled Tom in and charged him with a crime. His lawyer helped him beat the rap.

See also: beat, rap

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

beat the rap

Slang

To escape punishment or be acquitted of a charge.

See also: beat, rap

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.