noun
plural raps
[count] :a quick hit or knock
[count] US informal :a statement by police or the government saying that someone has committed a crime - usually singular
the rap informal :the blame or punishment for something
[count] US informal :a complaint against someone or something :something that someone or something is criticized for - usually singular
a rap on/over/across the knuckles
informal :criticism or punishment that is given in a gentle way for something that you did wrong
beat the rap
US informal :to avoid being sent to jail for a crime
bum rap
informal
US :an unfair claim that someone has committed a crime or done something wrong
chiefly US :a criticism or bad opinion that is not deserved or fair
verb
raps; rapped; rapping
to quickly hit or knock (something) several or many times [+ obj]
[+ obj] chiefly Brit :to say (something) quickly and forcefully - usually + out
[+ obj] :to criticize (someone or something) publicly
rap someone on/over/across the knuckles
or rap someone's knuckles
to criticize or punish someone in a gentle way for doing something wrong
noun
plural raps
[noncount] :a type of music that has words that are spoken with the rhythm instead of being sung
[count] :a rap song
verb
raps; rapped; rapping
[no obj]
to perform rap music or a rap song
informal :to talk in a free and informal way