cops and robbers: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumInformal, colloquial
Quick answer
What does “cops and robbers” mean?
A children's game where players take on the roles of police officers and criminals, with the 'cops' trying to catch the 'robbers'.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A children's game where players take on the roles of police officers and criminals, with the 'cops' trying to catch the 'robbers'.
Used metaphorically to describe any simplistic or adversarial situation framed as a binary conflict between authority (the 'good' side) and rule-breakers (the 'bad' side). Can describe real-world dynamics in politics, business, or law enforcement that are reduced to this basic dichotomy.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is equally common and understood in both varieties. The game itself is a universal childhood activity.
Connotations
Evokes nostalgia for simple childhood games. The metaphorical use might be slightly more common in American political commentary.
Frequency
Similar frequency in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “cops and robbers” in a Sentence
[play] + cops and robbers[be] + a game of + cops and robbers[reduce sth to] + a cops and robbers scenarioVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cops and robbers” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The kids are in the garden playing cops and robbers.
- His view of the trade dispute is pure cops and robbers.
American English
- We used to play cops and robbers in the vacant lot.
- The debate devolved into a childish cops and robbers argument.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. Could describe overly simplistic competition: 'The market isn't a game of cops and robbers.'
Academic
Used in sociology or cultural studies to critique media framing of crime or political conflict.
Everyday
Common when talking about children's games or criticizing a simplistic view of a conflict.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cops and robbers”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cops and robbers”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cops and robbers”
- Using it in formal writing. Treating it as a singular noun (e.g., 'a cops and robber'). Incorrectly capitalising it as a proper noun.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily, yes. Its core meaning is a children's game. However, it is frequently used as a metaphor by adults to criticise an overly simplistic view of a conflict.
It is generally too informal for academic or official documents, unless you are directly quoting or analysing the term itself.
'Cops and robbers' implies organised roles (pursuer vs. rule-breaker) and often a moral dimension. 'Cat and mouse' focuses more on the tactical back-and-forth of pursuit and evasion, without inherent moral roles.
No, 'cops and robbers' is standard. An informal synonym for the general concept in the UK is 'goodies and baddies'.
A children's game where players take on the roles of police officers and criminals, with the 'cops' trying to catch the 'robbers'.
Cops and robbers: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkɒps ən ˈrɒb.əz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkɑːps ən ˈrɑː.bɚz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's not a game of cops and robbers. (Meaning: The situation is serious and complex, not a simple chase.)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Rhymes with 'tops and mobbers'. Remember it as the classic game where one group 'tops' (stops/catches) the other.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIETY IS A PLAYGROUND; MORAL CONFLICT IS A CHASE/GAME.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'cops and robbers' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?