collar
noun
Collar — slang naming the act of apprehending a criminal suspect
Definition
The act of apprehending (especially apprehending a criminal); "the policeman on the beat got credit for the collar"
In depth
A collar is the act of apprehending, especially a criminal, distinctly informal police and crime-writing slang, the word drawing on the literal image of grabbing someone by the collar of their clothing during a physical arrest. The term carries a particular energy and immediacy associated with classic crime fiction and journalism.
Origin
The word draws directly on the literal collar of clothing, the image of physically grabbing a suspect by this part of their garment during a struggle or arrest giving rise to the figurative slang sense. That vivid, physical origin lends the word a particular immediacy, evoking the literal physical act of apprehension even in its now-figurative everyday use.
Usage examples
"The detective's collar of the notorious con artist capped off a years-long investigation."
"Veteran officers spoke of certain collars with particular pride, the ones that had required genuine skill and patience to achieve."
"It was a clean collar, the suspect offering no resistance once finally cornered."
How to use it
Collar in this sense is distinctly informal police slang, common in crime fiction, journalism, and casual conversation about law enforcement, well suited to capturing the gritty, vivid energy of crime narrative.
Related concepts
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