stool pigeons
Rats for cops
Stool pigeons are police informants—people who report criminal activity to authorities, often while pretending loyalty to those they betray.
The term carries strong contempt, implying treachery and cowardice: The gang discovered he'd been a stool pigeon for years.
Sometimes shortened to stoolie.
The singular stool pigeon works the same way.
- informersThose who reveal secrets
- confidential informantSecret source for authorities
- snitchOne who tells authorities
- canaryYellow caged songbird
- squealerOne who betrays secrets
turncoats · spy · rat · mole · inside man · intelligence asset · sellout · stoolie · turn state's evidence · espionage · Judas · source · sting operation · fink · drop a dime · weasels · sneaks · undercover agent
loyalty and trust
stool pigeonsstand-up guys
Trustworthy, loyal individuals
true believers · ride-or-die · solid · blood brothers · inner circle