English edit

Pronunciation edit

  • (file)

Noun edit

bum rap (plural bum raps)

  1. (slang) A false accusation, or an injustice, especially one that leads to imprisonment.
    • 1918 October 7, “Hun Talk”, in Chicago Daily Tribune, page 17:
      . . . going over the top of the wall of the Trenton prison, where I was sent on a bum rap.
  2. (idiomatic) An undeservedly unfavorable portrayal or reputation.
    • 2008 September 10, Patti Neighmond, “Study: Arthroscopic Surgery Provides Few Benefits”, in National Public Radio, retrieved 24 March 2009:
      Orthopedic surgeon Robert Marx, with New York's Hospital for Special Surgery, says that findings from the current study should not give arthroscopic knee surgery a bum rap.

Synonyms edit

Translations edit

References edit

  • bum rap”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.