rats out
Betrays a confederate
To rat out is to inform on someone, revealing their wrongdoing to authorities or others: He ratted out his accomplice to get a lighter sentence.
The phrase carries connotations of betrayal and disloyalty—rats abandon sinking ships, and a rat is slang for an informer.
She's afraid her coworker will rat her out to the boss.
- spill the beansReveal confidential information
- spill the teaShare scandalous information
- snitchOne who tells authorities
- tattleReveal another's wrongdoing
- blow the whistleExpose hidden wrongdoing
inform · divulge · expose · whistleblow · name names · throw under the bus · stab in the back · betray · backstab · squeal · kiss and tell · double-cross · grass on · drop a dime · break the code · snake in the grass · turncoat · wolf in sheep's clothing
rats outprotects
Defends from threat
keeps mum · stonewalls · turns a blind eye · shields · stands by
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