1 C1 idiomatic slang
To inform on someone to the police or another authority, revealing their illegal or wrongful activities.
"Nobody knew who had dimed him out, but the cops arrived within minutes."
separable
dime out
C1 slang separable transitive
To inform on or betray someone to the authorities (American slang).
In plain English
To tell the police or someone in charge that another person did something wrong.
What does "dime out" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
Historically, to drop a dime (coin) in a payphone to call police and inform on someone.
Actually means
To tell the police or someone in charge that another person did something wrong.
Usage tip
American slang, associated with street culture and crime drama. Derives from the idea of using a dime (10-cent coin) to make a payphone call to the police. Considered a serious social transgression in many communities. Rarely heard outside American contexts.
Words that pair with "dime out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
police boss rival friend gang dealer
How to conjugate "dime out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
dime out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
dimes out
he/she/it
Past simple
dimed out
yesterday
Past participle
dimed out
have + pp
-ing form
diming out
continuous
Hear "dime out" in the wild
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