12 Common Phrasal Verbs about Crime

Last updated on July 1, 2024 by Isabella Claire

Phrasal verbs about crime are essential for anyone who wants to improve their English language skills. These phrasal verbs can help you communicate more effectively in a variety of settings, from talking to law enforcement officials to discussing news stories with friends.

You will learn about the most important phrasal verbs related to crime and how they are used in context. Examples include “break into,” “get away with,” and “lock up.”

List of Phrasal Verbs about Crime

Phrasal Verbs about Crime
Phrasal Verbs about Crime – Created by 7ESL
  • Break into
  • Break out of
  • Bring in
  • Cover up
  • Get away with
  • Hold up
  • Lock up
  • Rat out
  • Run away
  • Stake out
  • Tip off
  • Turn in

Crime Phrasal Verbs with Meaning and Examples

List of phrasal verbs about crime with meaning and example sentences.

Break into

  • Meaning: To enter a building or car by using force, in order to steal something.
  • Example: Someone broke into my car and stole the radio.

Break out of

  • Meaning: To escape from a prison.
  • Example: The prisoner managed to break out of jail by digging a tunnel.

Bring in

  • Meaning: To arrest someone and take them to the police station.
  • Example: The police brought in the suspect for questioning.

Get away with

  • Meaning: To commit a crime without being caught or punished.
  • Example: The thief got away with stealing the jewelry.

Hold up

  • Meaning: To rob someone or something at gunpoint.
  • Example: The bank was held up by two armed robbers.

Lock up

  • Meaning: To put someone in jail or prison.
  • Example: The judge decided to lock up the criminal for 10 years.

Rat out

  • Meaning: To inform on someone to the police or authorities.
  • Example: He was afraid his friend would rat him out to the police.

Run away

  • Meaning: To escape from a situation, often related to a crime.
  • Example: The suspect ran away from the scene of the crime.

Stake out

  • Meaning: To watch a place secretly, usually by the police, in order to catch a criminal.
  • Example: The police staked out the bank for two days before catching the robbers.

Tip off

  • Meaning: To give secret information about illegal activities to the police or authorities.
  • Example: The police received a tip-off about the planned robbery.

Turn in

  • Meaning: To give oneself up to the police or authorities.
  • Example: The criminal decided to turn himself in after being on the run for a month.
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