take the rap

Variant of rap

rap definition

rap (rap)

transitive verb rapped, rapping rap′·ping

  1. to strike quickly and sharply; tap
  2. Slang to criticize sharply

Etymology: ME rappen, prob. of echoic orig.

intransitive verb

  1. to knock quickly and sharply
  2. ☆ to perform rap or a rap
  3. Slang to talk; chat
  4. Slang to talk seriously and frankly with another or others, often in an informal setting

noun

  1. a quick, sharp knock; tap
  2. Slang blame or punishment, as a prison sentence: usually in beat (or take) the rap, escape (or receive) the blame or punishment, or bum rap, unfair blame or punishment
  3. Slang a talking; chat
  4. Slang a serious, frank talk
    1. a kind of popular music in which rhymed verses are chanted or declaimed to the accompaniment of forceful and repetitive rhythms, played usually on drums or synthesizers
    2. a rap song or recording
rap Idioms

rap on the knuckles

a mild reprimand or light sentence

rap out

to say or utter sharply to rap out an order

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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