 |
Sense: 1
| Date: | 1900-2000 |
| Origin: | Perhaps from repartee |
| Date: | 1200-1300 |
| Origin: | Probably from the sound |
Related topics:
1 a type of popular music in which the words of a song are not sung, but spoken in time to music with a steady beat : 
a popular rap song
music
[uncountable and countable] also rap musicAPMa popular rap song2 a series of quick sharp hits or knocks [↪ tap]: She was woken by a sharp rap on the door.
knock
[countable]She was woken by a sharp rap on the door.3 a statement by the police saying that someone is responsible for a serious crime [= charge] ➔ rap sheet
crime
[countable] American English informal4 to be blamed or punished for a mistake or crime, especially unfairly : Bo was left to take the rap for Victor's murder.
take the rap (for something)
Bo was left to take the rap for Victor's murder.6
a rap on/over the knuckles
a) informal a punishment or criticism that is not very severe : The New York Post received an official rap over the knuckles for the way it reported the story.
The New York Post received an official rap over the knuckles for the way it reported the story.b) if someone gives a child a rap on the knuckles, they hit them on the back of their hand as a punishment
