finders, keepers

Idioms  

1. A phrase meaning that whoever finds something is entitled to keep it. For example, Someone left a dollar bill in this rented car—finders, keepers. This expression alludes to an ancient Roman law to that effect and has been stated in numerous different ways over the centuries. The modern version, often stated as Finders keepers, losers weepers, dates from the mid-1800s and is no longer a legal precept.

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Example Sentences

The goldmining museum, which contains a collection of artifacts dating back to the 1874 Black Hills Gold Rush, offers panning lessons and the chance to prospect on its land, finders keepers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 13, 2025

“They gave it to us, as, I guess you call it a finders keepers thing,” Kane said.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 4, 2024

One man has been pushing for decades to obtain what he believes belongs to his family, because finders keepers, while others wonder if the treasure trove is just a myth.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 9, 2023

Bremer went to court to get it back, but a judge ruled it was finders keepers.

From Washington Post • Dec. 1, 2015

Smiling up at Henry innocently, she continued in a child's sing-song voice, "finders, keepers."

From Wild Justice by Sprague, Ruth M.