dime out
Inform on someone
To dime out someone is to inform on them or report their wrongdoing to authorities—to snitch.
The expression comes from the dime once needed to make a phone call: He dimed out his supplier to get a lighter sentence.
The phrase carries connotations of betrayal, suggesting the informer trades loyalty for personal benefit.
- snitchOne who tells authorities
- spilled the beansRevealed a secret
- named namesRevealed others' identities
- squealedCried out sharply
- narkedBritish slang for irritated
confession · whistleblower · informant · rat · tattletale · undercover agent · plea bargain · cut a deal · blew the whistle · sting operation · interrogation · sold down the river · witness protection · wiretap · sellout · gave up · backstabber · evidence
dime outcover for
Protect by deceiving
keep faith · stand by · have someone's back · ride or die · protect
dime outkeep quiet
Remain silent
keep mum · hold one's tongue · keep one's mouth shut · say nothing · clam up
dime, out, dimes, dimed, outed, outing, outs, outer, outermost