rap sheet

American  

noun

Slang.

1. a record kept by law-enforcement authorities of a person's arrests and convictions.

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rap sheet British  

noun

1. informal a police record of an individual's criminal history

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Etymology

Origin of rap sheet

1955–60; rap ¹ (in the slang sense “a criminal charge”)

Example Sentences

She will get the money, but only if she agrees to her stepsister’s unusual proposal: to marry her wayward fiance, who comes from a wealthy family but also has a rap sheet.

From Los Angeles Times

There are pay stubs where rap sheets used to be, text threads that start with the question “You good?” at 3:17 a.m., and apartment keys handed over when a kid can’t go home.

From Los Angeles Times

ICE said one of those detained was a Mexican citizen and green card holder with a lengthy rap sheet.

From BBC

When asked last week whether the person arrested outside the news conference had a criminal record, a Homeland Security spokesperson said the agency would share a criminal rap sheet when it was available.

From Los Angeles Times

He had a rap sheet stretching back to the 1970s, according to French regional media outlet France 3.

From BBC