Fighting & Conflict, Police & Law Enforcement and Military-Derived Expressions · English Slang: Crime Conflict And Law

to say offensive, criticizing, or rude things to someone, particularly one's opponent, to make them less confident

"Stop talking trash about him."

"The two boxers talked trash to each other before the fight but one of them was knocked out in the first round."

to engage in a physical fight or confrontation

"They decided to run the fade."

"After the heated argument, the two rivals agreed to run the fade in the parking lot."

to get knocked out or struck unconscious, usually in a fight

"He caught a fade."

"The boxer was surprised when his opponent landed a powerful punch, causing him to catch a fade."

to engage in or be ready for a physical fight

"When the argument got physical, they threw hands."

"The angry men started to throw hands at each other and the fight lasted for several minutes."

to get punched or physically attacked, usually in a fight or as a threat

"He will catch hands."

"If you continue to provoke him, you're going to catch hands before this night is over."

to engage in a physical fight

"In the hockey game, the players started to run hands."

"The tough guy threatened to run hands with anyone who disrespected him in the crowded bar."

to prepare to fight or make fists

"Knuckle up and face the challenge."

"The boxer knew he had to knuckle up and face his toughest opponent in the ring."

to gesture, posture, or approach threateningly, often to intimidate or prepare for a fight

"He began to shape up."

"The aggressor started to shape up, puffing out his chest and clenching his fists menacingly."

to fight or argue intensely until one side wins

"The two boxers slugged it out for ten rounds."

"The two boxers decided to slug it out in the ring for the championship title."

to engage in a risky challenge, daring the opponent to back down before real conflict or danger occurs

"The teenagers played chicken with their cars."

"The two teenagers played chicken with their cars driving straight toward each other to see who would swerve first."

to settle an argument or ease tension by hugging

"After the argument, they decided to hug it out."

"The two friends decided to hug it out and forgive each other after their silly argument."

to cheat someone in a clever and often unexpected way

"He pulled a fast one on me."

"The dishonest mechanic tried to pull a fast one by charging me for repairs that my car did not actually need at all."

a fight or brawl that takes place on the streets

"The rumble started after school."

"The rival gangs agreed to settle their dispute with a rumble in the abandoned warehouse district."

to make a false emergency report so heavily armed police raid someone's home

"They will swat him."

"The disgruntled individual decided to swat the celebrity's home out of spite, causing a major police response."

to fight or stand up to someone in a confrontation

"Let's throw down now."

"When confronted by the bully, the smaller student decided it was time to throw down and defend himself."

a police officer, from the traditional blue uniform; mostly used the plural form

"The boy in blue helped me find my lost dog."

"The little boy pointed at the police officer and called him a boy in blue."

a member of the Air Force, especially personnel stationed at an air base

"The blue suit landed."

"We saw a blue suit directing traffic near the main gate of the air force base."

a police officer or federal agent working on illegal narcotics control

"The narc was undercover."

"The undercover narc pretended to be a drug user to infiltrate the trafficking ring and gather evidence for the federal investigation."

a person, especially a police officer, whose job is to investigate and solve crimes and catch criminals

"The detective found the clue."

"The detective carefully examined the scene looking for any small clue that might help solve the mysterious disappearance case."

someone who works as one of the members of a police force

"The cop arrived fast"

"The cop arrived fast at the scene and secured the area after the reported incident"

a police officer who patrols a neighborhood on foot

"The beat cop walked the neighborhood."

"The beat cop knew every shopkeeper on his route and stopped to chat with them daily."

the police, seen as the barrier between order and chaos

"Support the thin blue line."

"Many citizens believe the thin blue line is essential for maintaining public safety and order."

a police vehicle used for patrolling, responding to incidents, or transporting suspects

"The cop car's lights flashed."

"The cop car's lights flashed silently in the rearview mirror as he pulled over to the shoulder."

a person, usually romantically or sexually, attracted to police officers

"The badge bunny flirted with officers."

"The badge bunny flirted with police officers at bars hoping to get out of future traffic tickets."

police, often used as a warning that officers are nearby

"Watch out for twelve."

"Someone shouted "twelve!" in the alley, and everyone scattered before the police could arrive."

a plainclothes police officer or agent working secretly to gather information

"The undercover officer made the arrest."

"The undercover officer had been embedded in the motorcycle gang for two years without being discovered."

a policeman

"The fuzz is here."

"When the suspicious activity was reported, the fuzz arrived on the scene within minutes."

unintended negative consequence or harm resulting from an action

"The military strike unfortunately caused collateral damage."

"The military strike unfortunately caused collateral damage including civilian homes and a school."

a preliminary investigation or survey to gather information

"The soldier went on recon."

"The soldier went on recon to scout enemy positions before the main attack at dawn."

used to indicate that a task or set of tasks has been successfully completed

"The job is done, mission accomplished."

"After successfully diffusing the bomb with seconds to spare, the bomb squad leader declared, "Mission accomplished.""

to reveal unexpected and shocking news or information that has a strong impact on those who receive it

"She dropped a bombshell at dinner."

"The CEO dropped a bombshell during the meeting when he announced that the company would shut down three factories."

to be strongly criticized or blamed

"The manager took the flak for the team's failure."

"The manager had to take the flak for the team failure even though he was not personally responsible."

used to refer to someone or something that has captured one's attention or is within one's awareness or consideration

"It's on my radar."

"That emerging technology is definitely on my radar as a potential area for future investment and research."

forgotten, unnoticed, or no longer being tracked

"The spy stayed off the radar."

"The famous singer went off the radar for a year to escape from the paparazzi and relax."

fully prepared and ready to act

"The soldier was locked and loaded."

"The soldiers were locked and loaded and ready to move out as soon as the commander gave the order."

to start to deal with an inevitable challenge or difficulty

"I bit the bullet today."

"Although the task was daunting, she decided to bite the bullet and complete the difficult project."

a period of leave or pass that ends at midnight

"He had Cinderella liberty."

"The young soldier was excited about his weekend pass, but he knew he had to be back before midnight due to his Cinderella liberty."

smoke exhaled from a pipe, joint, or cigarette into another person's mouth

"He blew smoke back."

"The company faced severe blowback from customers after raising prices without improving the product."

to watch someone's back or give them support

"Do not worry, I have got your six."

"The loyal partner told his friend I have got your six meaning he would watch his back and protect him."

in a rapid or immediate manner, typically used to indicate urgent action

"The sergeant told the soldiers to move on the double."

"The sergeant ordered the lazy soldiers to clean the barracks on the double because the general was coming to inspect."

the center of action or the most critical position in a struggle or activity

"He was on the front line."

"As the lead negotiator, she was always on the front line during tense corporate disputes."

to deliver a sharp verbal reprimand

"She read him off."

"The irate supervisor proceeded to read off the employee for their repeated tardiness."