One of the directors had been COOKING THE BOOKS, and the company had been losing money for years.
to give false information in a company’s accounts, to provide fake financial reports
The manager refused to CARRY THE CAN and take responsibility.
to accept blame or responsibility for something
We have to do it BY THE BOOK, otherwise, we’ll get into trouble.
strictly according to the law or rules
The police suspected that the robbery was AN INSIDE JOB.
a crime committed by someone within the company, organisation, group
The thief felt guilty so he went to the police station and CAME CLEAN.
to admit or confess to something you have been lying or dishonest about
It’s never ok to BRUSH RACISM UNDER THE CARPET.
to hide or ignore something illegal, unpleasant or embarrassing
The police CAUGHT THE THIEF RED-HANDED.
to discover someone in the act of wrongdoing
I’d say we’ve got A ROTTEN APPLE in our company. Someone has disclosed confidential information to our competitors.
something/someone that is a bad influence on others
Unless we COVER OUR TRACKS properly, the police are sure to find us.
to hide or to get rid of incriminating evidence
That firm is known for its SHARP PRACTICE, so I’d rather not deal with them.
fraud, thievery
He is a CAT BURGLAR, who only steals from apartments in high buildings.
a thief who secretly enters people’s homes
Nobody knew the truth about the singer until her ex-husband SPILT THE BEANS in his new book.
to reveal information, the truth
The police rushed to the scene, but the robbers had already CUT AND RUN by the time they arrived.
to make a quick escape
If you lie to the authorities, you’ll end up in HOT WATER.
in trouble
The teenagers DID A RUNNER when the cab stopped, leaving the driver with an unpaid bill.
to run away without paying for a good or service
After Ben was arrested, he promised his mother he would GO STRAIGHT.
to begin obeying the law, to stop being a criminal
The question caught the minister OFF GUARD, he fell silent and was unable to answer it.
by surprise