Drop a dime

Meaning

Inform authorities about someone, often anonymously.

Usage

Used for tipping off law enforcement or snitching.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

To make a call from a payphone, which once cost a dime, to inform on someone, usually to the police.

American slang of the 20th century.