grass on
C1 slang inseparable transitive
In simple words
To secretly tell the police or someone in charge about what another person has done wrong.
Meanings
1 C1
idiomatic
slang
To inform on someone to an authority figure, especially the police, in a way seen as a betrayal.
"Nobody likes him at school because he's always grassing on his classmates."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Primarily British English slang. Considered a serious social betrayal in many communities. 'Grass' as a noun (meaning 'informer') derives from Cockney rhyming slang: 'grasshopper' = 'copper' (police), or possibly from 'snake in the grass'. Very negative connotation.
Commonly used with
police teacher boss someone authorities neighbour
Forms
Base
grass on
I/you/we/they
3rd person
grasses on
he/she/it
Past simple
grassed on
yesterday
Past participle
grassed on
have + pp
-ing form
grassing on
continuous
Understand "grass on" better
Try:
Real video examples
Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.
Want to master this phrasal verb?
Practice "grass on" on Looplines