Skip to main content
rap

rap

105 7.7
Blame given to someone for a wrong act, often unfair
  • noun
  • /ræp/
translation icon : culpa
  • Like, alcohol gets a bad rap, but I love drinking culture.
  • a bad rap
  • a rap sheet

You know, there's mastery is getting a bad rap right now.

Autoplay Next

Examples

Synonyms

charge
vsrap
  • Formal
6.0

An official accusation of a crime

is used more generally and can be informal blame as well
allegation
vsrap
  • Literature
579 4.8

A statement that someone did something wrong without proof

can be broader, covering blame in both informal and legal use
accusation
vsrap
394 3.1

A statement that someone did something wrong or illegal, even if it is not proven

is broader and also means blame in informal or legal contexts
blame
vsrap
359 1.0

Responsibility for a fault or bad situation

focuses on an accusation or fault rather than general responsibility

Antonyms

161 1.0

Words or actions that show admiration for someone

Idioms

6.9

Gently punish or criticize someone for a small mistake

To tell someone they are wrong in a mild, formal way

Compounds

rap sheet
  • Jargon
38 7.6

A police list of a person's arrests and convictions

26 2.3

Music with fast rhyming speech spoken over a beat

bum rap
  • Informal
8 9.1

Unfair blame or punishment for something you did not do

rap session
  • Informal
1 7.7

An informal meeting where people openly share feelings and ideas

rap session
  • Informal
1 7.0

An informal musical gathering where rappers perform and freestyle over beats

How Serious

indictment
  • Formal
271 7.8
charge
  • Formal
6.0
accusation
394 3.1
rap
105 7.7

Surface Forms

rap singular
raps plural

Etymology

Rap meaning 'blame' may come from the idea of getting a 'hit' against your name, so a helpful way to remember it is that to 'take the rap' is to 'take the hit' or blame for something.