pilfer from

pilfer from (someone or something)

1. To steal from someone, something, or some group, especially in a furtive or deceptive manner. The CEO was caught pilfering from the company's pension funds. I have no doubt the school has been pilfering from its students. I heard Tom and Janet's daughter has been pilfering from them lately.
2. To steal something from someone, something, or some group in small amounts, especially in a furtive or deceptive manner. I've been pilfering a few dollars from my parents at a time, so I doubt they'll notice. I guess Tom had been pilfering office supplies from the company for years before he was finally caught.
See also: pilfer
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

pilfer something from someone or something

to steal something from someone or something. Did you pilfer this money from your parents? Who pilfered some money from the cash box?
See also: pilfer

pilfer from someone or something

to steal from someone or a group. The petty thief had pilfered from several merchants in town. Someone has pilfered from the petty-cash drawer.
See also: pilfer
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • pilfer
  • pilfer from (someone or something)
  • pilfered
  • catch a tiger by the tail
  • the blame for (something)
  • blame for
  • blame for (something)
  • blamed
  • conspire with (someone) against (something or someone)
  • chain of command
References in periodicals archive
'As airline security personnel, we have to be alert and wary of these tricks and of new modus operandi that loaders who pilfer from check-in luggage can come up with,' he said.
How 'magic' at Naia baggage lines works
Lower-ranked birds don't pilfer from their superiors but do occasionally defraud each other.
Jay watch: birds get sneakier when spies lurk