Grassing

The act of informing on someone, betraying a confidence, or revealing incriminating information about another person, often to authorities or a person in a position of power. It implies a breach of trust and solidarity, particularly within a group or community. The term often carries negative connotations, portraying the 'grass' as disloyal and potentially causing harm to the person being 'grassed' on. The motivations behind grassing can vary, from seeking personal gain or avoiding punishment, to genuine feelings of resentment or moral conviction, the latter often associated with law enforcement. The act is typically perceived as cowardly in many subcultures. Synonyms include snitching, ratting, informing, telling tales, and squealing. Antonyms might include loyalty, discretion, solidarity, remaining silent, or protecting.

Grassing meaning with examples

• During the investigation, the detectives pressured members of the gang, eventually one member, fearing a lengthy prison sentence, agreed to start grassing. They revealed the location of the stash house, leading to the arrest of several key figures. This betrayal shattered the gang's trust, causing internal conflict. The fallout resulted in further violence and the complete dismantling of the operation.
• In the prison yard, inmates maintained a strict code of silence. Any prisoner suspected of grassing was ostracized and often faced severe repercussions. A new inmate, desperate to shorten his sentence, considered grassing on another convict who was involved in a recent escape attempt. Though the inmate was conflicted, his desire for freedom was ultimately stronger than any perceived loyalty.
• The journalist's exposé relied heavily on leaked documents, effectively grassing on corrupt officials who had been evading the law for years. The exposé highlighted the unethical practices of government officials, ultimately leading to public outrage and demands for investigations. The publication of the information put several powerful figures under extreme scrutiny and many people involved were eventually tried in court.
• Despite knowing about the company's fraudulent accounting practices, Sarah debated whether to grass on her colleagues. She worried about the damage to the company, the potential loss of jobs, and her own career security, making the choice a moral dilemma for her. Ultimately, though, feeling guilt, and facing a crisis, she decided to alert authorities after carefully gathering evidence.