rat on
1 of 1verb/ˈræt ɑn/
Forms:rats on,ratting on,ratted on,ratted on
1
to inform an authority about the wrong or illegal actions of others
- I can't believe you ratted on me like that to mom and dad—I'm never telling you anything ever again!
- John ratted on me, and I got in trouble.
- Where I come from, you don't rat on your friends.
- He decided to rat on his coworker who had been stealing office supplies.
- The student was afraid to rat on the bullies, fearing retaliation.
2
to not fulfill a promise or agreement
- I can't back someone who rats on his promises.
- The government is accused of ratting on its promises to the unemployed.
- They ratted on the deal.
- They had agreed to share the expenses, but one of them ratted on the deal.
- We can't tolerate someone who consistently rats on their responsibilities.