steal

  • verb (past stole; past part. stolen) 1 take (something) without permission or legal right and without intending to return it. 2 give or take surreptitiously or without permission: I stole a look at my watch. 3 move somewhere quietly or surreptitiously. 4 (in various sports) gain (a point, advantage, etc.) unexpectedly or by exploiting the temporary distraction of an opponent.

  • noun 1 informal a bargain. 2 chiefly N. Amer. an act of stealing.

  — PHRASES steal a march on gain an advantage over by taking early action. steal the show attract the most attention and praise. steal someone’s thunder win praise or attention for oneself by pre-empting someone else’s attempt to impress.

  — DERIVATIVES stealer noun.

  — ORIGIN Old English.

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