IDIOMS RELATED TO VIOLENCE

bandit territory

A geographical area where law enforcement is practically impossible,

because people ignore all rules, is called 'bandit territory'.
There are a certain number of bandit territories in the world where
travellers are advised not to go.

beat black and

blue

If a person is covered with bruise marks caused by being hit, they have
been beaten black and blue.
The passenger was beaten black and blue by a gang of thugs.

beat/knock the
If a person beats the (living) daylights out of another, they hit them
(living) daylights very hard and repeatedly.
If I catch you stealing again I'll beat the daylights out of you!
come to blows

If two or more people come to blows, they start to fight.

The debate was so intense that the participants almost came to blows.

fight like cat and Two people who fight or argue like cat and dog frequently have violent
dog
arguments, even though they are fond of each other.
They fight like cat and dog but they're still together after 30 years.
fight tooth and
nail

If you fight tooth and nail for something, you fight with energy and
determination.
The Transport Minister fought tooth and nail to have the proposed road
safety law accepted.

fight an uphill
battle

A person faced with an uphill battle has to struggle against very

unfavourable circumstances.
After the terrible accident, his recovery was an uphill battle all the
way.

free-for-all

This term refers to an uncontrolled situation such as an argument or

fight where everyone present can do what they like.
It started as a serious debate but turned into a free-for-all.

gloves are off!

This expression is used when there are signs that a fight is about to
start.
The two candidates are out of their seats. The gloves are off!

head on a platter If someone makes you so angry that you want them to be punished,
you want their head on a platter.
He was so angry when he read the article about his family that he
wanted the journalist's head on a platter.
road rage

Aggressive driving habits sometimes resulting in violence against other

drivers is called road rage.
A number of accidents today are a direct result of road rage.

take cover

When someone takes cover, they hide from a danger in a place where

they find protection.

As soon as the explosion was heard, people ran to take cover.
tit for tat

This expression refers to an injury or insult given in return for one

received.
"He kicked me, so I kicked him - it was tit for tat!" said the boy.

up in arms

If you are up in arms about something, you are very angry.

The population was up in arms over the demolition of the old theatre.

in/through the
wars

If a person or thing has been in (or through) the wars, they show signs
of rough treatment, injury or damage.
He arrived in a car that looked as if it had been in the wars.

Home

Crime Idioms
Poor
Okay
Good
Great
Awesome
Average: 4.2 (20 votes)
Wed, 12/03/2008 - 00:15 Chris McCarthy

Idioms

Here we look at six idioms which are linked to the topic of crime. These idioms are not
necessarily about crime; they just use the language of crime to describe other situations.
Find out what they mean, how you can use them and then do the quiz:

A steal
A steal is anything that is much cheaper to buy than you would expect. The item is a real
bargain and great value for money. It is so cheap, that is almost like we have stolen it!
'I only paid 20 dollars for this dress and it's a designer brand. It was a real steal!'

Highway robbery
Highway robbery (also known as daylight robbery) means that you feel something is
much more expensive than it should be. You feel you are paying way too much.
'The soft drinks in the cinema are really expensive. I paid 10 dollars for a cola. It's highway
robbery!'

Thick as thieves
When people are thick as thieves they have a very close relationship. They're probably best
friends who are always together and never keep secrets from each other.
'Lee and Mike have been as thick as thieves since they met in junior school. They do
everything together.'

On the case

When someone is on the case they are doing what needs to be done in a particular
situation. They are dealing with the task or problem.
'Don't worry about it. I'll have the report done by Friday. I'm on the case.'

Get away with murder

When someone gets away with murder they are not punished for bad behavior. They did
something bad or wrong and did not get into trouble for it.
'She never does her homework and she's always late for class. Our teacher lets her get away
with murder! He never punishes her.'

Partner in crime
A partner in crime is a person who helps you to make a secret plan to do something wrong
or dishonest. They help you to do something bad or naughty.
'Tom made sure nobody was looking as I set off the fire-alarm in our school. He was my
partner in crime.'