sticky fingers
plural noun Informal.
a propensity to steal.
Nearby words
stickwork, sticky, sticky blood, sticky bun, sticky end, sticky fingers, sticky note, sticky rice, sticky wicket, sticky willie, sticky-fingered
Origin of sticky fingers
First recorded in 1930–35
Related formsstick·y-fin·gered [stik-ee-fing-gerd] /ˈstɪk iˈfɪŋ gərd/, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Idioms and Phrases with sticky fingers
sticky fingers
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]
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
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