rat me out

USAGE SUMMARY

'rat me out' is correct and usable in written English.
It is an informal phrase used to describe when someone reveals information about someone else that is meant to be kept secret or private. For example, "My friends ratted me out when they told our teacher that I was cheating."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

"Did they ever find it?" "You didn't rat me out," I say.

The Guardian

if I want to secretly compromise my musical cred by listening to The Archies, why do my headphones have to rat me out?

The New York Times

What stopped me from Bcc'ing my friend all the time was pure paranoia -- how did I know Bcc wasn't going to rat me out?

Huffington Post

And he looks up at me as if to say, "Hey, don't rat me out," and of course, I don't because, you know, honor amongst thieves.

Huffington Post

One final note: Unlike many fellow critics, I don't rank the shows once I come up with my top 10 (which is really a top 12 -- shhh, don't rat me out).

Huffington Post

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Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Tucker glowered at Green, convinced that his friend had "ratted me out".

The New Yorker

"Kobe ratted me out, that's why I'm getting divorced," O'Neal continued.

The New Yorker

Nat, it appeared, had ratted me out, for now Kaen was approaching.

The New York Times - Sports

He said in his suicide note that he had carefully planned a suicide attempt once before, but a friend, to whom he said goodbye in the note, "ratted me out".

The New York Times

I didn't think anything more about it, but he ratted me out to my parents!

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rat me out" in informal contexts when you want to convey a sense of betrayal or being reported in a sneaky way. It is appropriate in casual conversation, personal writing, or when quoting someone's speech.

Common error

Avoid using "rat me out" in formal reports, academic papers, or professional communications. Opt for more neutral and professional alternatives like "inform on" or "report".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "rat me out" is as an idiomatic verb phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It typically functions as a transitive verb, requiring an object (in this case, "me") to complete its meaning. Examples illustrate its use in expressing betrayal or informing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76.47%

Wiki

11.76%

Science

5.88%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rat me out" is a common and informal idiomatic phrase that means to betray someone's secret or wrongdoing. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and widely used. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts and is generally avoided in formal writing. Alternatives such as "snitch on me" or "inform on me" can be used in more formal settings. Remember to use it appropriately to convey the right tone and register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

snitch on me

A more direct and informal synonym, emphasizing the act of informing to authorities.

turn me in

Implies informing authorities about someone's illegal activity.

betray my confidence

Focuses on the betrayal of trust rather than the act of informing.

blow the whistle on me

Suggests revealing unethical or illegal practices to the public or authorities.

inform on me

A more formal way of saying "rat me out", lacking the idiomatic flavor.

sell me out

Indicates betrayal for personal gain.

expose my secret

Highlights the revealing of a secret, regardless of who does it.

reveal my misdeed

Focuses on revealing a wrongdoing, rather than just any secret.

give me away

Implies unintentional revealing of information, less accusatory than "rat me out".

denounce me

A more formal term, implying public accusation and condemnation.

FAQs

What does "rat me out" mean?

The phrase "rat me out" means to betray someone by revealing their secrets or wrongdoings to another person, often someone in authority. It implies a sense of betrayal and sneakiness.

What can I say instead of "rat me out"?

You can use alternatives like "snitch on me", "inform on me", or "betray me" depending on the context.

Is "rat me out" formal or informal?

"Rat me out" is an informal expression. It's best used in casual conversation or informal writing. In more formal settings, use alternatives like "report me" or "inform on me".

How to use "rat me out" in a sentence?

You can use "rat me out" in sentences like: "I hope my brother doesn't rat me out to my parents for skipping school." or "She ratted me out to the boss for being late."