Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

you can beat the rap, but you can't beat the ride

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.95 in modern English

Syllables: you -can beat- the rap, but y-ou -can't beat- the ride
IPA

62

Scrabble Score

37

Letters

6

Syllables

14

Unique Chars

Meaning

phrase

You can't escape the inconvenience and/or cost of the legal process even if you are innocent and the charges are ultimately dropped or you get acquitted.

Informal

Example Sentences

"But you get to the point of you can beat the rap, but you cannot beat the ride, and that is really a good description I think of a lot of litigation, and what the patent trolls rely on. All right, it is going to be hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars to hire a lawyer. I can beat the rap, but I am going to end with a million-dollar ride."
"The jury might acquit you - you could beat the rap. But hang on tight, Rick. You're not going to beat the ride."
""The charge?" Chalmers rattled off a list of offenses, a few of which turned Prance's already defeated mood more solemn. "Give me a break," he said. "You can always beat the rap, but you can't beat the ride. Captain, you are going for a goddamn long ride.""

Etymology

See rap (“record of arrest and prosecution”). The "ride" is being taken away in the back of a police car. Already known as a saying in 1973.

Usage

Informal

Phrases

beat the rap

Frequently Paired Words

beat the rap

Questions

What does you can beat the rap, but you can't beat the ride mean?: You can't escape the inconvenience and/or cost of the legal process even if you are innocent and the charges are ultimately dropped or you get acquitted.
Where does you can beat the rap, but you can't beat the ride come from?: See rap (“record of arrest and prosecution”). The "ride" is being taken away in the back of a police car. Already known as a saying in 1973.

How to pronounce you can beat the rap, but you can't beat the ride

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