inform on
Tell the authorities
To inform on someone is to report their wrongdoing to authorities—to betray them by providing incriminating information: He informed on his accomplices to get a lighter sentence.
The phrase carries connotations of disloyalty and self-interest, distinguishing it from neutral reporting.
- turn inSubmit or sleep
- betrayViolate a trust
- denouncePublicly declare wrongdoing
- snitchOne who tells authorities
- turn state's evidenceTestify against former accomplices
inculpate · report · expose · incriminate · name names · finger · confession · turncoat · drop a dime · testify · blow the whistle · tattle · rat out · peach · leak · stool pigeon · shop · tell
- accusationsaccusation, accuse, accuser, allegation, allege
- defectiondefection, defect, defector, turncoat, desertion
inform oncover for
Protect by deceiving
protect · stand by · shield · defend · stick up for
inform onkeep quiet
Remain silent
keep mum · say nothing · hold one's tongue · keep one's mouth shut · keep secret
inform onaid and abet
Help with lawbreaking
tip off · harbor · conceal · shelter · look the other way
inform, information, informed, misinformation, uninformed, informing, informer, informant, informs