verb

pinch

To steal something.

The thief pinches a wallet from the coat.

Etymology

Pinch means taking something between tightly closed fingers. Its slang stealing sense applies that quick taking action to appropriating someone else's property.

More examples

  • Someone pinched my umbrella.
  • She caught him pinching a biscuit from the tray.
  • He denied pinching the missing pen.

Forms

pinch · pinches · pinched · pinching

Similar words

steal
The ordinary equivalent.
swipe
An informal term for stealing.