cop a plea

Plead guilty or confess to a crime in exchange for a lighter sentence; also, plead guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for not being tried for a more serious charge. For example, Arnold decided he was better off copping a plea than facing a jury . [ Colloquial ; 1920s]

Plead for mercy; make excuses. For example, He copped a plea about not knowing his way around . [ Slang ; c. 1940]