noun
goods
Evidence or information that exposes someone's wrongdoing.
The reporter has the goods on a corrupt city official.
Etymology
Goods names possessions or merchandise. In the evidence idiom, material that exposes a wrongdoer is treated like stolen goods found in someone’s possession.
More examples
- These emails give prosecutors the goods on the contractor.
- Without a witness, detectives couldn't get the goods on him.
- She claims to have the goods on her boss's illegal deals.
Forms
goods