rap

I UK [ræp] / US noun
Word forms "rap":
singular rap plural raps

1) [countable] a quick hard hit, or the sound of this

There was a rap at the door.

2)

a) [uncountable] music a way of talking using rhythm and rhyme, usually over a strong musical beat

a leading rap artist

b) music music that uses rap, especially styles of hip hop

••

See:

rapper

3) [countable/uncountable] American informal a statement by the police accusing someone of committing a crime

a murder rap

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a rap on/over the knuckles — informal criticism for bad behaviour

Jo got a rap on the knuckles for not spotting the problem sooner.

take the rap (for something) — informal to be blamed or punished, especially for something that you did not do

There's no way I'm taking the rap for his mistakes.

See:

beat I, bum rap

II UK [ræp] / US verb
Word forms "rap":
present tense I/you/we/they rap he/she/it raps present participle rapping past tense rapped past participle rapped

1) [intransitive/transitive] to hit something hard and quickly

He rapped the table loudly to get their attention.

Carol rapped sharply on the window.

2) [intransitive] music to talk using rhythm and rhyme, usually over a strong musical beat

3) [transitive] mainly journalism to criticize someone

4) [intransitive] informal old-fashioned to have a long informal conversation with friends

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rap someone on/over the knuckles — informal to criticize someone, usually in a formal way

Phrasal verbs:

- rap out