- bum rap
- noun
a bookie who has done five years … on a bum rap and is once more on the loose — John McCarten
* * *
Slang.1. an unjust accusation, verdict, or punishment: He was sent to prison on a bum rap.2. an adverse opinion or judgment considered undeserved or unjust: The review was a bum rap, but I liked the play.* * *
bum rap noun (slang)A false criminal charge• • •Main Entry: ↑bum* * *
unfair criticism or blame for somethingThesaurus: criticisms and accusationssynonym* * *
n. [in sing.] informal a false charge, typically one leading to imprisonmenthe's been handed a bum rap for handling stolen goods
■ figurative an unfair punishment or scolding* * *
bum rapinformal1 US : an unfair claim that someone has committed a crime or done something wrongThe defendant was sent to jail on a bum rap.
2 chiefly US : a criticism or bad opinion that is not deserved or fairThe teenagers say they've all gotten a bum rap because one person damaged some property.
She thinks motorboats get a bum rap from environmentalists.
He was given a bum rap by reviewers.
• • •Main Entry: ↑rap
Useful english dictionary. 2012.