cop a plea

present singular third person cops a plea · participle present copping a plea · participle past copped a plea · past copped a plea · alternative cop to a plea

1. slanglawTo plead guilty to a lesser criminal charge than one had been charged with.

   1 more example

   But blow wise to this, buddy, blow wise to this: Never play cards with a man called Doc. Never eat at a place called Mom's. Never sleep with a woman whose troubles are worse than your own. Never let nobody talk you into shaking another man's jolt. And never you cop another man's plea. I've tried 'em all and I know. They don't work.

   1958, Nelson Algren, A Walk on the Wild Side, page 312

   Synonyms: plea-bargain