[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/fink/)

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# fink

noun (a fink, finks); verb (fink, finks, finked, finking — fink on someone)

«fink» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. (US, slang, old-fashioned) A fink is a person who tells on others to the police or people in charge; a snitch or tattletale. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fink/#m1)
2. (US, slang) A fink is an unpleasant, untrustworthy person. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fink/#m2)
3. (US, slang) To fink on someone is to tell on them. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fink/#m3)
4. (old, US) A fink was also a strike-breaker who worked when others were on strike. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fink/#m4)

### In the lessons

Mostly found in old American films, comics and stories, where gangsters or kids call someone a fink. It is a mild insult. Everyday modern words are «snitch», «grass» (UK) or «tattletale» (US). Phrases: «fink on someone», «you rat fink».

### Examples

- «Don't be a fink and tell the teacher!» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fink/#x1)
- He finked on his friends to the police. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fink/#x2)
- In the old film, the gangster called him a rat fink. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fink/#x3)
- Nobody trusted him after he was a fink. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fink/#x4)
- «You little fink!» shouted her brother. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fink/#x5)
- Telling an adult about bullying is right, not being a fink. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fink/#x6)

### Note

Slang and old-fashioned. Remember: telling a trusted adult when someone is hurt or in danger is the right thing, not snitching.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «fink» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fink/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«fink» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/fink.html) on Mova free.