In slang, “rat” means someone who betrays their friends or group by telling secrets or reporting them to authorities, especially to the police.
People use it when a friend snitches or leaks private info. You might hear, “Don’t tell him anything—he’s a rat,” or “She ratted us out to the teacher.” It’s a quick way to call out betrayal.
Meaning & Usage Examples
- “He turned into a rat and told the cops.”
- “They caught the rat who leaked the group chat.”
Context / Common Use
Used mostly in casual talk, music lyrics, or online threads when someone feels back-stabbed. Tone is negative—calling someone a rat is a strong insult.
Is “rat” always about the police?
No. It can be about any authority figure—teachers, bosses, parents—if the person spills private info.
Can “rat” ever be positive?
Rarely. In most slang use it’s clearly negative; only playful nicknames might twist it, but the core meaning stays betrayal.
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