Wiktionary
n. 1 (context idiomatic English) A false accusation, or an injustice, especially one that leads to imprisonment. 2 (context idiomatic English) An undeservedly unfavorable portrayal or reputation.
Usage examples of "bum rap".
And Elvis said unto Pontius Pilate, 'Listen Pont, this is a bum rap.
It's a bum rap, but they don't like me over here on the Beach and they set me up.
It was very hard to look at the clothes, with those knees glowering back at him from the discount-store mirror like sullen twin hobos pulled in on a bum rap.
His conscience bothered him too much for him to let me take a strictly bum rap, but he'd never come right out and say it.
Now while I'll admit my reputation isn't exactly spotless, it doesn't include standing still for a bum rap .
Now while I'll admit my reputation isn't exactly spotless, it doesn't include standing still for a bum rap.
Not even the regular crap of somebody trying to pin a bum rap on their father-in-law.
And the next thing you know, some bimbo is trying to set him up for a bum rap!
Hitler had told him it was all a bum rap, he had sued for peace in January of 1943 and that son of a bitch Churchill had turned him down.