cheat the hangman

== English == === Etymology === In full "cheat the hangman of his fee", since a hangman would not be paid if there was nobody to hang. === Verb === cheat the hangman (third-person singular simple present cheats the hangman, present participle cheating the hangman, simple past and past participle cheated the hangman) To die, especially by suicide, while under sentence of death, or while guilty of a capital crime; also, to kill someone else who is in such a state. To escape punishment for one's crimes; to get away with something. ==== Translations ====