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learner12
Joined: 18 Nov 2006
Posts: 730
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 Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 5:24 am Post subject: start singing??? |
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Hello, teachers!!
http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/housing/2007-01-24-home-scammer_x.htm
He got caught after an angry ex-business associate walked into an FBI office one day and started singing.
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In the end of the sentence, there are the phrase "started singing." What does this phrase mean? Literally he started singing like the song of the Beatles?
Thank you in advance. |
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asterix
Joined: 26 Jan 2003
Posts: 1654
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| Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 9:57 am Post subject: |
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| No. In criminal circles "singing" means informing the police or other authorities about criminal activity. \So this means that one of his former associates who was angry with him (perhaps because he had been cheated) walked into a Federal Bureua of Investigation office and informed them about his illegal activities. |
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learner12
Joined: 18 Nov 2006
Posts: 730
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| Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 3:52 am Post subject: |
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Dear asterix,
Thank you for answering my question. I appreciated it.
Have a good day!! |
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asterix
Joined: 26 Jan 2003
Posts: 1654
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| Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 8:29 am Post subject: |
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| You are welcome, learner 12. |
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CP
Joined: 12 Jun 2006
Posts: 2875
Location: California
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| Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2007 7:29 pm Post subject: |
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A similar phrase is to squeal / to squeal to the cops. "We would have gotten away with the crime, but Joey squealed."
Someone who squeals is also called a stool pidgeon, or a stoolie. The stool pidgeon sings or squeals to the cops, often getting a lighter sentence or immunity for himself in exchange for his singing.
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You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb |
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