ratted him out

USAGE SUMMARY

"ratted him out" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is a colloquial expression that means to inform on someone or to reveal their secrets or wrongdoing to someone in authority. Example: "John thought he could trust his friend, but when the police showed up at his door, he realized his friend had ratted him out for selling illegal drugs." In this example, "ratted him out" indicates that the friend informed the police about John's illegal activities, causing them to show up at his door. The phrase can also be used in other contexts, such as revealing a secret to a friend or betraying someone's trust.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

He behaved so badly that his friend Katherine Anne Porter ratted him out to the foundation, which almost terminated the fellowship.

The New York Times - Books

In 90 studio visits Mr. Parker Smith did not always leave with purloined treasure, but he was caught just once, he said, by an artist's 5-year-old daughter, who ratted him out to daddy.

The New York Times - Arts

Camp then posted portions of the affidavit to his Facebook page to try to intimidate those who ratted him out, writing, ""I am very concerned about anyone who lies to the police!

Forbes

The person who ratted him out?

Vice

Reeves ratted him out to authorities in the United Kingdom.

Vice

(Big yuks from his pals, one of whom ratted him out to me and even sent a pic).

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Her payback: ratting him out on Facebook.

The New York Times

Why, he rats him out, of course.

The Guardian - Books

Did someone at one of the synagogues rat him out?

The Washington Post

He suspects his beautiful live-in girlfriend, Naturelle (Rosario Dawson), of ratting him out to the Drug Enforcement Agency.

The New York Times

I couldn't rat him out or else I'd get it, too.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ratted him out" when you want to convey a sense of betrayal or disloyalty, especially in informal contexts. It's appropriate when someone reveals secrets or wrongdoings to an authority figure.

Common error

While "ratted him out" is widely understood, it may sound too informal for academic papers or formal business correspondence. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "informed on him" or "reported him" in such settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ratted him out" functions as a phrasal verb, where 'rat' is the verb and 'out' is the particle. It describes the action of betraying someone by revealing their secrets or wrongdoings to an authority or another person. Ludwig shows examples where this phrase is used in news and media to describe such situations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

92%

Wiki

4%

Academia

4%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ratted him out" is a phrasal verb indicating the act of betraying someone by revealing their secrets or wrongdoings. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used, primarily in news and media contexts. While effective for conveying disapproval and a sense of betrayal, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives like "informed on him" in academic or professional settings. Remember to avoid overuse in formal contexts to maintain a professional tone. Ludwig's examples provide useful context, showing the phrase used when someone reveals a secret to authorities or those in power.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

snitched on him

Less formal alternative, often used in slang or informal contexts.

turned him in

Implies informing on someone to law enforcement.

informed on him

More formal and neutral alternative, suitable for broader contexts.

gave him away

Suggests revealing someone's location or identity.

blew the whistle on him

Implies exposing unethical or illegal activities.

betrayed him

Emphasizes the act of disloyalty and treachery.

spilled the beans on him

Informal way of saying someone revealed a secret.

revealed his secrets

Focuses on the disclosure of private information.

exposed him

Highlights the act of uncovering hidden wrongdoing.

testified against him

Involves providing evidence against someone in a legal setting.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone "ratted him out"?

Saying someone "ratted him out" means they revealed his secrets or wrongdoings to someone in authority, often implying betrayal.

What are some less informal alternatives to "ratted him out"?

You could use phrases like "informed on him", "reported him", or "testified against him" depending on the context.

In what situations is it appropriate to use the phrase "ratted him out"?

The phrase "ratted him out" is suitable for informal conversations, news reports, and fictional narratives where you want to convey betrayal or disloyalty. It might not be suitable for formal writing, in order to avoid being labeled as pejorative.

Is there a difference between "ratted him out" and "snitched on him"?

While similar, "ratted him out" and "snitched on him" both imply informing on someone. "Snitched on him" is even more informal and is most often used among kids or within an environment where one is expected to be loyal to another person