English Explanatory Dictionary

cheat the hangman

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To die, especially by suicide, while under sentence of death, or while guilty of a capital crime; also, to kill someone else who is in such a state.
  2. To escape punishment for one's crimes; to get away with something.

Word forms

cheat the hangman cheats the hangman cheating the hangman cheated the hangman

Etymology

In full "cheat the hangman of his fee", since a hangman would not be paid if there was nobody to hang.

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