ratted out
Told on someone
Ratted out means informed on or betrayed, typically by reporting someone's wrongdoing to authorities or others in power: He ratted out his partners to the feds.
The phrase evokes the rat as a symbol of treachery.
Someone who rats out others is a rat or a snitch.
- informingConveying facts to another
- reportedCommunicated formally
- betrayViolate a trust
- traitorOne who betrays allegiance
- defectorOne who abandons allegiance
snitch · fink · dropped a dime · squealer · gave up · spilled the beans · perfidy · double-crossing · stabbed in the back · stool pigeon · informant · blew the whistle · tattletale · narc · treachery · backstabbing · divulgence · confession
ratted outprotected
Kept from harm
stood by · had someone's back · shielded · backed up · defended
ratted outkept quiet
hushed up · concealed · said nothing · buttoned up · kept to oneself
ratted outconcealed
Made invisible deliberately
covered up · hid · withheld · suppressed · hushed up