[IELTS Vocabulary] Crime and Punishment

This vocabulary list is for reference only. Your Lexical Resource scores are calculated based on the overall level of vocabulary used in your writing and speaking answers. To improve your Lexical Resource scores, it is necessary that you improve your overall level of vocabulary.

However, skillfully incorporating these words in your writing and speaking answers together with a good vocabulary level will increase the chance of enhanced Lexical Recourse scores.

Words and phrases

Word/Phrase	Type	Meaning	Example
Adjudicate	Verb	To make a formal judgment or decision in a legal case	The judge will adjudicate the dispute between the parties.
Appellate court	Noun phrase	Higher court that reviews decisions of lower courts	The appellate court overturned the lower court’s decision.
Circumstantial evidence	Noun phrase	Evidence that suggests a fact but does not prove it directly	The case relied heavily on circumstantial evidence.
Conviction	Noun	A formal declaration of guilt by a court	The defendant’s conviction was based on compelling evidence.
Disbar	Verb	To remove someone from the practice of law	The unethical conduct led to the lawyer being disbarred.
Exoneration	Noun	The action of officially absolving someone from blame	The exoneration came after new evidence was discovered.
Extradition	Noun	The surrender of an accused or convicted individual to another jurisdiction	The extradition process involves complex legal procedures.
Grand jury	Noun phrase	A panel of citizens that reviews evidence and decides whether to indict a suspect	The grand jury returned an indictment against the defendant.
Impartial	Adjective	Not biased or prejudiced	The judge ensured an impartial trial by excluding biased jurors.
Indictment	Noun	A formal charge or accusation of a serious crime	The indictment was handed down by the grand jury.
Jurisprudence	Noun	The theory or philosophy of law	Studying jurisprudence helps understand legal principles.
Mitigating circumstances	Noun phrase	Factors that may reduce the severity of a punishment	The judge considered the defendant’s remorse as a mitigating circumstance.
Perjury	Noun	The offense of willfully lying under oath	The witness was charged with perjury for providing false testimony.
Pro bono	Adjective	Done or undertaken without charge, especially for the public good	The lawyer offered pro bono legal services to low-income clients.
Racketeering	Noun	The operation of an illegal business for personal profit	The organization was involved in racketeering and money laundering.
Restitution	Noun	Compensation or payment for damages or losses	The court ordered the defendant to pay restitution to the victims.
Subpoena	Noun/Verb	A writ ordering a person to attend a court	The attorney subpoenaed the witness to testify at the trial.
Testimony	Noun	A formal written or spoken statement given under oath	The witness provided compelling testimony during the trial.
Vicarious liability	Noun phrase	Legal responsibility for the actions of another	Employers can be held vicariously liable for their employees’ actions.
White-collar crime	Noun phrase	Nonviolent crimes typically committed by business professionals	The investigation uncovered a complex network of white-collar crime.

Common types of crimes

Word/Phrase	Type	Meaning	Example
Arson	Noun	Deliberate setting fire to property	Arson is a serious crime that endangers lives and property.
Assault	Noun	Act of inflicting physical harm or injury	Assault can range from minor altercations to serious attacks.
Burglary	Noun	Unlawful entry into a building to commit theft or felony	Burglary involves breaking into homes or businesses.
Cybercrime	Noun	Criminal activity conducted through digital means	Cybercrime includes hacking, identity theft, and online fraud.
Domestic violence	Noun phrase	Abuse or violence within a domestic or intimate relationship	Domestic violence survivors often require support and protection.
Drug trafficking	Noun phrase	Illegal distribution and sale of controlled substances	Drug trafficking is a serious offense with severe penalties.
Embezzlement	Noun	Theft or misappropriation of funds by a person entrusted with them	Embezzlement occurs when someone abuses their position of trust.
Fraud	Noun	Deception for financial or personal gain	Fraudulent schemes often target unsuspecting individuals.
Hate crime	Noun phrase	Criminal offense motivated by bias or prejudice	Hate crimes target individuals based on race, religion, or other factors.
Homicide	Noun	Killing of one person by another	Homicide investigations require thorough examination of evidence.
Human trafficking	Noun phrase	Exploitation of people for forced labor, sexual slavery, or commercial sex	Human trafficking is a violation of basic human rights.
Identity theft	Noun phrase	Unauthorized use of someone else’s personal information	Identity theft can have devastating financial consequences.
Kidnapping	Noun	Unlawful abduction or holding hostage	Kidnapping cases require swift law enforcement action.
Money laundering	Noun phrase	Concealing the origins of illegally obtained money	Money laundering facilitates criminal activities by hiding proceeds.
Robbery	Noun	Theft involving force, violence, or intimidation	Robbery is a violent crime punishable by law.
Terrorism	Noun	Use of violence or intimidation for political or ideological purposes	Counterterrorism efforts aim to prevent acts of terrorism.
Theft	Noun	Act of stealing property without consent	Theft is a common property crime.
Vandalism	Noun	Willful destruction of property	Vandalism often results in damage to public or private property.

Idioms for speaking

Idiom	Definition	Example
Behind bars	In prison or jail; incarcerated.	“The thief was behind bars for stealing from multiple stores.”
Caught red-handed	Caught in the act of committing a crime, typically with evidence.	“The thief was caught red-handed on surveillance camera stealing from the store.”
Get away with murder	To avoid punishment for a serious offense, often due to luck or lack of evidence.	“It seems like wealthy individuals often get away with murder while others face harsh penalties for minor offenses.”
Get off scot-free	To avoid punishment or consequences for one’s actions.	“Despite the evidence against him, he managed to get off scot-free due to a legal technicality.”
Go off the rails	To start behaving in a way that is reckless or deviant; to behave badly.	“After dropping out of school, he went off the rails and got involved in petty crime.”
Go straight	To stop engaging in criminal behavior and live an honest life.	“After serving his sentence, he decided to go straight and start afresh.”
In hot water	In trouble or facing difficulties, often as a result of one’s actions.	“He found himself in hot water after being caught cheating on the exam.”
Nail someone	To catch or incriminate someone for a crime.	“The detectives finally nailed the suspect after months of investigation.”
Off the hook	Released or freed from obligation or responsibility, especially punishment.	“He thought he was off the hook after the witness failed to testify.”
On the lam	Fleeing from law enforcement; on the run from the authorities.	“The suspect went on the lam after escaping from prison.”
Pay one’s debt to society	To serve a sentence or punishment for a crime committed.	“After being convicted, he spent years in prison paying his debt to society.”
Pay the piper	To face the consequences or suffer the punishment for one’s actions.	“After years of embezzling money, he finally had to pay the piper and serve time in prison.”
Serve time	To spend a period in prison as a punishment for a crime.	“He served time for his involvement in the robbery.”
Take the fall for	To accept blame or punishment for something on behalf of others.	“He decided to take the fall for his friend’s crime to protect him from harsher consequences.”
Throw the book at	To impose the maximum possible punishment on someone.	“The judge decided to throw the book at the repeat offender.”
Turn oneself in	To surrender to authorities or confess to a crime.	“Realizing he couldn’t evade capture forever, he decided to turn himself in to the police.”
Walk the straight and narrow	To behave honestly and ethically; to avoid trouble or wrongdoing.	“After getting out of prison, he resolved to walk the straight and narrow and stay out of trouble.”
White-collar crime	Non-violent crimes typically committed by individuals in business or professional positions.	“The investigation uncovered a large-scale white-collar crime scheme involving fraud and embezzlement.”