sticky fingers

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sticky fingers pl (plural only)

1. (idiomatic) An inclination to steal.

   You'd better lock up your belongings before handing your keys to a valet; some of them have sticky fingers.

   • 2010, Jennifer Egan, “Pure Language”, in A Visit from the Goon Squad:

     ‘She was great,’ Bennie said. ‘I was crazy about her. But it turned out she had sticky fingers.’ He glanced at Alex. ‘She stole things.’

2. (idiomatic) Petty thieves.

   There are too many sticky fingers around for me to leave my purse unattended.

• sticky-fingered

• five-finger discount
• long arms
• pilfery