ˈframe-up colloq. (orig. U.S.).
[See frame v. 8 e, 10.]
Anything that has been pre-arranged or concocted, esp. with a sinister intent; a conspiracy or plot, e.g. for the purpose of incriminating a person on false evidence.
| 1900 ‘Flynt’ & Walton Powers that Prey 141 He could arrange a ‘frame-up’, and relieve ‘Soapy’ of the stolen pocketbook, after ‘Soapy’ had lifted it from his victim's pocket. 1913 C. E. Mulford Coming of Cassidy vii. 116 The crookedness would not come more than once in a deal if the frame-up was ‘single-odd’. 1919 New Appeal (Girard, Kans.) 11 Jan. 1/5 They were the victims of a frameup inspired by class hatred. 1924 Westm. Gaz. 12 Feb., The Government, he said, were guilty of manufacturing a plot which never existed. He claimed that the plot was from beginning to end a ‘frame-up’. 1956 A. L. Rowse Early Churchills xi. 214 Their signatures were very cleverly forged. Coming at such a moment it looks like a frame-up. 1971 It 2–16 June 5/2 While serving a six month sentence..Ian learned a lot about frame ups, about prison conditions. |