putter up

English

Noun

putter up (plural putters up)

1. (UK, slang, archaic) A person who seeks out information of use to burglars, for example by ingratiating himself with the members of a household, and in return receives payment after the burglary is committed.
   • 1859, Snowden's magistrates assistant, page 353:

     The thieves never take the putter up with them, nor do they allow him to know when they intend to crack the house.

   • 1866, Good Words, page 414:

     Should the "put-up job" succeed, the putter-up comes in for his share of the criminal spoil.

Related terms

• put-up job