Slang about honesty: no cap, cap and sus
Short answer: “No cap” means “I am not lying”, “cap” means a lie or something not true, and “sus” means something seems strange or not honest. All three are very informal slang.
What do these expressions mean?
| Expression | Meaning | Example | How informal |
|---|---|---|---|
| No cap | I am not lying | I ran five miles today, no cap. | Very informal |
| Cap | A lie; something not true | He said he can fly a plane? That's cap. | Very informal |
| Sus | Seems strange or not honest | The email asking for my password looks sus. | Very informal |
Is it safe to use?
These three are labelled very informal in the Teen Talk lessons. Use them only with friends and online. Saying “that's cap” tells a person that they are lying, and calling someone “sus” can sound like an accusation, so be careful. Slang changes fast, and these words may change too.
How do the three words work together?
- “Cap” is the lie: “He said he met a movie star? That's cap.”
- “No cap” is the opposite: “It was the best meal ever, no cap.”
- “Sus” is a short form of “suspicious”: it says that something does not feel honest or safe.
Common mistakes with this slang
- Do not mix them up: “cap” is a lie, “no cap” is the truth.
- Do not use “sus” about a person you do not know well, because it can sound rude.
- Do not use these words in an essay, a school talk or a work email.
More slang
- English slang: what common slang words mean (all groups)
- Slang about attitude and plans: low-key, bet, YOLO and more
- Slang about friends and feelings: what the words mean
- Slang for saying something is great: lit, dope, fire, slay
Questions
What does “no cap” mean?
It means “I am not lying”. People say it to show that they really mean something.
What does “cap” mean in slang?
It means a lie, or something that is not true. “That's cap” means “That is not true.”
What does “sus” mean?
It means something seems strange or not honest. It is a short form of “suspicious”.
Is “no cap” the opposite of “cap”?
Yes. “Cap” is a lie, and “no cap” means “no lie” or “I am telling the truth”.
Part of the English slang guide in the 🗣️ Teen Talk tool.
Written for English learners by the English for Fun team. How we write our lessons · Last updated 2026-11-05.