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# sticky fingers

phrase (idiom; noun phrase; have sticky fingers; adjective: sticky-fingered)

«sticky fingers» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

1. (euphemism, everyday) a habit of stealing things.
2. literally, fingers that are sticky, for example from honey or sweets.

### In the lessons

Used jokingly or gently to say someone steals, avoiding the word "thief"; everyday, all regions.

### Examples

- Watch out, that boy has sticky fingers.
- Someone with sticky fingers took the money from the cake stall.
- After eating the toffee, the baby had sticky fingers.
- The shopkeeper knew the man had sticky fingers.
- "Somebody with sticky fingers has my pencil case!"
- The sticky-fingered cat steals socks from the neighbours.

### Note

Literal or figurative: check context. Stands for "stealing". In stories, someone with sticky fingers is a thief.