snitch

Word family

snitch1 /snɪtʃ/ verb informal

1 TELL[intransitiveI] to tell someone in authority about something that another person has done wrong, because you want to cause trouble for that person 告密，告发，告状

snitch on

Somebody snitched on me.

有人打了我的小报告。

2. [transitiveT]STEAL to quickly steal something unimportant or of little value 偷，偷窃〔不重要或不太值钱的东西〕 SYN British English nick

Examples from the Corpus

snitch• Grover snitched a couple of sugar packets from behind the counter.• Those who snitch can receive commendations and rewards of up to $ 500.• The supermarket has a problem with kids snitching candy bars off the shelves.• There was supposed to be an umbrella, but Mordaunt Dragon of Arms had snitched it for when he went fishing.• Oh, I just snitched the eyebrows from the top of the totem-pole.• He watched as Grover snitched two packets of sugar from behind the counter.• Grover, listening, snitched two packets of sugar from behind the counter.

snitch2 noun [countableC]

informalTELL someone who is not liked because they tell people in authority when other people do things that are wrong or against the rules 告密者 SYN sneak

He didn’t want to be a snitch, and besides, Kevin was his friend.

他不想当告密者，再说凯文是他的朋友。

Examples from the Corpus

snitch• At first most residents stayed home, afraid to be seen as snitches.• Names of a half dozen snitches have been listed as prosecution witnesses to whom Wooten allegedly confessed.• All well and good, until one day when a federal snitch gave away a wire room.• Others have gone free because their prosecutors relied on junk science, jailhouse snitches or bad cops.• Our local snitches no longer can drop a dime on some one.• Both witnesses were known liars and virtually professional snitches who got favors from jailers for informing, the court said.

Origin snitch2

(1700-1800) Perhaps from snitch “(a blow on) the nose” ((17-21 centuries))

snitch1 verbsnitch2 noun

Chinese

Corpus