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sticky fingers

plural noun

, Informal.
  1. a propensity to steal.


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Other Words From

  • stick·y-fin·gered [stik, -ee-, fing, -gerd], adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of sticky fingers1

First recorded in 1930–35
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Idioms and Phrases

A propensity to steal, as in You'd better not leave any cash around; she's known for her sticky fingers . This metaphor makes it seem as if valuables adhere naturally to a thief's fingers. [ Colloquial ; late 1800s]
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Example Sentences

This is reaching back there, like the same year Sticky Fingers came out.

We tried to get raps, but were unsuccessful, except in getting noises from sticky fingers on the table.

Tommy thoughtfully scratched his head with his sticky fingers.

The brat grew restless and wandered disconsolately around the room, leaving traces of sticky fingers everywhere.

In his sticky fingers the bridle-rein itched like so much poisoned ribbon.

More than that, I know why you were fired out of Maxwell's office; you've got sticky fingers.

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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