rap
1to strike, especially with a quick, smart, or light blow: He rapped the door with his cane.
to utter sharply or vigorously: to rap out a command.
(of a spirit summoned by a medium) to communicate (a message) by raps (often followed by out).
Slang. to criticize sharply: Critics could hardly wait to rap the play.
Slang. to arrest, detain, or sentence for a crime.
Metallurgy. to jar (a pattern) loose from a sand mold.
to knock smartly or lightly, especially so as to make a noise: to rap on a door.
Slang. to talk or discuss, especially freely, openly, or volubly; chat.
Slang. to talk rhythmically to the beat of rap music.
a quick, smart, or light blow: a rap on the knuckles with a ruler.
the sound produced by such a blow: They heard a loud rap at the door.
Slang. blame or punishment, especially for a crime.
Slang. a criminal charge: a murder rap.
Slang. response, reception, or judgment: The product has been getting a very bad rap.
Slang.
Idioms about rap
beat the rap, Slang. to succeed in evading the penalty for a crime; be acquitted: The defendant calmly insisted that he would beat the rap.
take the rap, Slang. to take the blame and punishment for a crime committed by another: He took the rap for the burglary.
Origin of rap
1Words that may be confused with rap
Other definitions for rap (2 of 3)
Origin of rap
2Other definitions for rap (3 of 3)
to carry off; transport.
to transport with rapture.
to seize for oneself; snatch.
Origin of rap
3Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use rap in a sentence
When you get to the window, take your knife and rap out a message in International Code.
The Ranger Boys and the Border Smugglers | Claude A. LabelleIf the mistress be wise she will rap out something severe at this point and check matters.
Under the Deodars | Rudyard KiplingFierce oaths rap out at thoughtless soldiers who, by a simple act, might imperil the lives of all.
Australia in Arms | Phillip F.E. SchulerThere are too many of these catchwords in the world for people to rap out upon you like an oath by way of an argument.
The Vagabond in Literature | Arthur RickettAnd when his eye met hers she felt her heart rap out a tumultuous dozen of unbidden beats, fast and sweetly suffocating.
Arundel | Edward Frederic Benson
British Dictionary definitions for rap (1 of 3)
/ (ræp) /
to strike (a fist, stick, etc) against (something) with a sharp quick blow; knock: he rapped at the door
(intr) to make a sharp loud sound, esp by knocking
(tr) to rebuke or criticize sharply
(tr foll by out) to put (forth) in sharp rapid speech; utter in an abrupt fashion: to rap out orders
(intr) slang to talk, esp volubly
(intr) to perform a rhythmic monologue with a musical backing
rap over the knuckles to reprimand
a sharp quick blow or the sound produced by such a blow
a sharp rebuke or criticism
slang voluble talk; chatter: stop your rap
a fast, rhythmic monologue over a prerecorded instrumental track
(as modifier): rap music
slang a legal charge or case
beat the rap US and Canadian slang to escape punishment or be acquitted of a crime
take the rap slang to suffer the consequences of a mistake, misdeed, or crime, whether guilty or not
Origin of rap
1Derived forms of rap
- rapping, noun
British Dictionary definitions for rap (2 of 3)
/ (ræp) /
(used with a negative) the least amount (esp in the phrase not to care a rap)
Origin of rap
2British Dictionary definitions for rap (3 of 3)
/ (ræp) /
Australian informal a variant spelling of wrap (def. 8), wrap (def. 14)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Cultural definitions for rap
A form of pop music characterized by spoken or chanted rhymed lyrics, with a syncopated, repetitive accompaniment. Rap music originated in the second half of the twentieth century in black urban communities. (See also hip-hop.)
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Other Idioms and Phrases with rap
In addition to the idiom beginning with rap
- rap someone's knuckles
also see:
- beat the rap
- bum rap
- not give a damn (rap)
- take the rap
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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