supergrass: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Informal, primarily used in journalism, crime reporting, and legal contexts. It carries a negative, sensationalist connotation.
Quick answer
What does “supergrass” mean?
A criminal, especially one involved in organized crime, who gives the police a large amount of information about other criminals and their activities, often in exchange for immunity or protection.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A criminal, especially one involved in organized crime, who gives the police a large amount of information about other criminals and their activities, often in exchange for immunity or protection.
The term can be used metaphorically in non-legal contexts to describe someone who betrays a group by revealing secrets or informing on colleagues, though this is less common. It strongly implies a major, strategic betrayal rather than a minor informant.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is overwhelmingly British/Irish in origin and common usage. In American English, 'supergrass' is understood but rare; equivalent terms are 'major informant', 'high-level cooperator', or 'turncoat' (though less specific). The simple slang 'snitch' or 'rat' is more common but lacks the 'super-' scale.
Connotations
In the UK, it is strongly associated with high-profile cases from the 1970s-1990s (e.g., against the IRA or London gangsters). In the US, it may sound like a British import or journalistic flair.
Frequency
High frequency in UK crime journalism; low frequency in US English, where it may be used to evoke a British context.
Grammar
How to Use “supergrass” in a Sentence
[Subject: Person] + turn/become + supergrass[Subject: Police/Court] + rely on/use + a supergrass[Subject: Supergrass] + give evidence/name namesVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “supergrass” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The gangland boss was convicted solely on the word of a supergrass.
- The supergrass was given a new identity and relocated abroad.
American English
- The federal case relied on a supergrass, a tactic more common in British courts.
- Prosecutors offered a deal to a lieutenant, hoping to create a supergrass.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used. Potential metaphorical use for a corporate whistleblower who exposes systemic fraud.
Academic
Used in criminology, sociology, or legal studies discussing informant cultures, plea bargaining, and counter-terrorism.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation unless discussing crime news. More likely in UK/Ireland.
Technical
Used in legal and law enforcement jargon to categorize a type of witness/informant, often within specific 'supergrass schemes' or protocols.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “supergrass”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “supergrass”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “supergrass”
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'He supergrassed' is non-standard; use 'He turned supergrass' or 'He became a supergrass').
- Using it in positive self-description (it is a label applied by others, typically derogatory).
- Confusing it with the British rock band 'Supergrass' (proper noun).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. A whistleblower typically exposes wrongdoing within an organisation (often public or corporate) from a position of conscience. A supergrass is a criminal who informs on accomplices, usually to gain a personal benefit like a reduced sentence.
No, it is solely a noun. The associated verbal idea is expressed as 'to turn supergrass' or 'to become a supergrass'.
It originated in the UK and Ireland during periods of intense conflict with organized crime and terrorism (e.g., The Troubles in Northern Ireland), where the use of such informants became a high-profile and controversial legal strategy.
A 'grass' is a general slang term for any informant, often for minor crimes. A 'supergrass' informs on a large scale, providing evidence that can convict many others or dismantle an entire network, and is thus more valuable to authorities.
A criminal, especially one involved in organized crime, who gives the police a large amount of information about other criminals and their activities, often in exchange for immunity or protection.
Supergrass is usually informal, primarily used in journalism, crime reporting, and legal contexts. it carries a negative, sensationalist connotation. in register.
Supergrass: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsuːpəɡrɑːs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsuːpərɡræs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To turn supergrass”
- “A supergrass deal”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a SUPER large GRASS (lawn) where each blade of grass is a criminal. One giant blade of grass (the SUPERGRASS) tells the gardener (police) where all the other blades are, so they can be mowed down (arrested).
Conceptual Metaphor
INFORMING IS CUTTING (like cutting grass to tidy it up). A 'grass' is a low-level informant. A 'supergrass' is a powerful tool that clears a whole field.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'supergrass' most accurately and frequently used?