Phrasal verb
snitch on
Definition
phrasal verb. to tell a person in authority, like a teacher or the police, that someone else did something wrong.
phrasal verb. to inform an authority figure of another person's illicit or prohibited actions. This verb is transitive and carries a strong negative connotation of betrayal within a peer group.
Examples
“Don't snitch on your brother just because he broke the vase.”
“The gang members were worried that one of their own might snitch on them to the police to get a shorter sentence.”
“The corporate whistleblower was unfairly labeled a traitor by colleagues who accused him of snitching on the department's minor accounting errors.”
Examples
simple
“Don't snitch on your brother just because he broke the vase.”
contextual
“The gang members were worried that one of their own might snitch on them to the police to get a shorter sentence.”
complex
“The corporate whistleblower was unfairly labeled a traitor by colleagues who accused him of snitching on the department's minor accounting errors.”
Usage
usually followed by the person being reported; the authority figure is rarely the direct object.
Teaching tip
contrast with 'report' (neutral/formal) or 'tattle' (used by children); 'snitch' implies a violation of a social code among peers.
Pitfall
He snitched his friend to the teacher.
He snitched on his friend to the teacher.
the preposition 'on' is required to indicate the person being reported.
Phrasal verb
Particles
on
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
snitch + on + object
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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