Explaining "Crime does not pay"

Reviewed and edited by

Lloyd Cooper 01/10/2024, 02:06

English.me team member

What does it mean?

The phrase "Crime does not pay" means that engaging in illegal activities ultimately brings more trouble and consequences than any potential benefits, and that it is not a worthwhile pursuit.

Tone

Cautionary

Origin

The phrase became popular in the early 20th century, particularly during the 1920s and 1930s, as part of campaigns to dissuade people from crime, and was commonly used in films and literature of the time.

Examples of usage

He thought he could get away with stealing, but after he was caught and sent to jail, he realized that crime does not pay.
Despite the initial riches he gained from his illegal activities, his eventual downfall proved that crime does not pay.