no cap
/noʊ kæp/
Meaning
Originating in African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and popularized on social media, 'no cap' means 'no lie' or 'for real.' It is used to emphasize that you are telling the absolute truth and are not exaggerating or bragging.
Examples
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That was the best burger I've ever had in my life, no cap.
That was the best burger I've ever had in my life, no cap.
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I finished the entire project in under two hours, no cap.
I finished the entire project in under two hours, no cap.
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No cap, she is actually one of the smartest people I've ever met.
No cap, she is actually one of the smartest people I've ever met.
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He can run a mile in under five minutes, no cap.
He can run a mile in under five minutes, no cap.
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I'm so tired I could sleep for three days straight, no cap.
I'm so tired I could sleep for three days straight, no cap.
Common Mistakes
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✗ I am telling the truth, I have no cap.
✓ I am telling the truth, no cap.
'No cap' is used as an adverbial phrase at the beginning or end of a sentence. Saying 'I have no cap' literally means you do not own a hat.
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✗ She said she got a promotion, but I think it's a cap.
✓ She said she got a promotion, but I think she's capping.
While 'cap' can be a noun meaning 'a lie', in slang, the verb form 'capping' (lying) or the phrase 'that's cap' (that is a lie) is used instead of 'a cap'.
Related Expressions
Practice
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I just saw a celebrity at the grocery store, ___!
💡 Use the slang term that means 'for real' or 'not lying'.
Show answer
no cap
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___, that test was the hardest thing I've ever done.
💡 An informal way to start a sentence showing you aren't exaggerating.
Show answer
No cap