Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. a successful outcome to an endeavour, a sporting victory; an arrest for policemen, a lucrative robbery for villains etc.

1892		in Punch 3 Dec. 261: [cartoon caption] Assistant (in his most insinuating manner). ‘In your case, Madam, I should certainly consider Fast Colours most suitable.’ result!
1967		N. Dunn Poor Cow 46: When he was coming he grabbed hold of me really rough and I had me result.
1970		G.F. Newman Sir, You Bastard 56: The third house produced a result.
1982		J. Sullivan ‘A Losing Streak’ Only Fools and Horses [TV script] I thought we’d have got a right result with that scent.
1986		R.G. Barrett Godson 44: [F]or Les, it was a little more interesting and ended up a better result than some others.
1990		Tupper & Wortley Aus. Prison Sl. Gloss. 🌐 Result. A satisfactory conclusion to an endeavour. A prisoner gaining parole has ‘got a result’.
1999		Guardian Editor 25 June 11: Luckily, I’ve got a new girlfriend. Which is a result, ’cos the last one was an old cow.
2000		J.J. Connolly Layer Cake 14: Contrary to other belief, the Other People only really did this when they needed the result really bad.
2005		P. Howard Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightdress 95: Seven years, with the last two suspended, which is a result basically.
2011		J.J. Connolly Viva La Madness 148: They jiggled open the combination locks — piece-a-piss — popped open the cases and — fuckin result!
2013		T. Black Ringer [ebook] n.p.: I don’t care. I've done it. I've fuckingwell done it. 'Result, old son ... result!'.
2020		A. Parks Bobby March Will Live Forever 133: ‘The interrogations can be an ugly business, right enough, the gloves come off. [...] And he got a result’.
2023		D. Whish-Wilson I Am Already Dead 203: ‘The girl getting released was a good result. [...] A great deal of relief’.

2. a verdict of not guilty.

1977		G.F. Newman A Prisoner’s Tale 73: ‘Oh, he reckons there’s a double-good chance of me getting a result,’ Lynn lied.
1989		J. Morton Lowspeak.
2007		N. ‘Razor’ Smith Raiders 96: He walked out of court a free man. But men like Greg don’t just give up [...] when they’ve had a result.