stole
like the cat that stole the cream
Obviously smug or overly pleased with oneself. After her promotion, Janet spent the rest of the day looking like the cat that stole the cream.
See also: cat, cream, like, stole, that
steal (one) blind
To steal everything one owns, especially through deceitful or fraudulent means. Sometimes used to insinuate that someone is charging too much money for something. The CEO was sent to prison for stealing his clients blind through a complex Ponzi scheme. Another $100 in fees? These guys are stealing us blind!
See also: blind, steal
steal (one's) heart
To captivate one; to instill in one a deep affection or love. You stole my heart the moment I met you. The young actress has stolen the nation's heart.
See also: heart, steal
steal (one's) thunder
1. To garner the attention or praise that one had been expecting or receiving for some accomplishment, announcement, etc. My brother is the star athlete of our high school, so no matter what I succeed in, he's constantly stealing my thunder. We were about to announce our engagement when Jeff and Tina stole our thunder and revealed that they were going to have a baby.
2. To steal one's idea, plan, or intellectual property and use it for profit or some benefit. We had the idea for "digital paper" years ago, but I see they've stolen our thunder and have their own version of it on the market.
See also: steal, thunder
steal (someone's) clothes
To advance or appropriate someone else's ideas, policies, or agendas as one's own. Many believe the challenger is really trying to steal the incumbent's clothes and beat him at his own game.
See also: clothes, steal
steal a base
In baseball or softball, for a baserunner already on base to advance to the next base before or during a pitch (as opposed to when the ball is hit into play). The base is often specified (e.g. "steal second base"). After the wild pitch, the player on second managed to steal third base. He holds a record for stealing bases, typically managing to do it once or twice per game.
See also: base, steal
steal a glance (at someone or something)
To look at someone or something very quickly and discreetly. That boy just stole a glance at you again! I think he likes you! I stole a glance to see if the teacher was watching us.
See also: glance, someone, steal
steal a kiss
To kiss someone very quickly and discreetly. They stole a kiss on the steps before Sarah's parents opened the door to meet John for the first time.
See also: kiss, steal
steal a look (at someone or something)
To look at someone or something very quickly and discreetly. That boy just stole a look at you again! I think he likes you! I stole a look to see if the teacher was watching us.
See also: look, someone, steal
steal a march
To gain an unexpected or surreptitious advantage over someone or something, as by accomplishing something before, or better than, someone else. The retail business managed to steal a march on its competitors by signing an exclusive export agreement with Europe. John and I were both trying to win Courtney's heart, but he stole a march when he managed to get tickets to Courtney's favorite band.
See also: march, steal
steal a march on (someone or something)
To gain an unexpected or surreptitious advantage over someone or something, as by accomplishing something before, or better than, someone else. The retail business managed to steal a march on its competitors by signing an exclusive export agreement with Europe. John and I were both trying to win Courtney's heart, but he stole a march on me when he managed to get tickets to Courtney's favorite band.
See also: march, on, steal
steal a march over (someone or something)
To gain an unexpected or surreptitious advantage over someone or something, as by accomplishing something before, or better than, someone else. The retail business managed to steal a march over its competitors by signing an exclusive export agreement with Europe. John and I were both trying to win Courtney's heart, but he stole a march over me when he managed to get tickets to see Courtney's favorite band.
See also: march, over, steal
steal a march upon (someone or something)
To gain an unexpected or surreptitious advantage over someone or something, as by accomplishing something before, or better than, someone else. The retail business managed to steal a march upon its competitors by signing an exclusive export agreement with Europe. John and I were both trying to win Courtney's heart, but he stole a march upon me when he managed to get tickets to see Courtney's favorite band.
See also: march, steal, upon
steal away
1. To leave or depart from some location or situation very quickly, quietly, and furtively. I started feeling a bit despondent at the party, so I stole away while no one was looking. The two stole away to share a kiss.
2. To steal someone or something (from someone); to rob someone of someone or something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "steal" and "away." The two thieves stole the statue away by loading it into a helicopter and making off into the night sky. The gang has been stealing children away for years and brainwashing them as young soldiers.
3. To take someone or something away from someone, especially in a way that seems unfair or malicious. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "steal" and "away." The team had victory within their grasp, but with a last-minute field goal, the reigning champions stole it away from them. I don't know why you're so convinced that I'm trying to steal your boyfriend away, but it simply is not true!
See also: away, steal
steal from (someone or something)
To take (money or property) from someone, some group, some institution, etc., illegally or without their knowledge or consent. A noun or pronoun can be used between "steal" and "from" to specify what is being stolen. People who sign onto social welfare when they don't really need it are just stealing from the government. After they caught their youngest son stealing money from them to pay for drugs, they had him shipped off to boarding school. Sarah has been accused of stealing food from the school cafeteria.
See also: steal
steal off (someone or something)
To take (money or property) from someone, some group, some institution, etc., illegally or without their knowledge or consent. A noun or pronoun can be used between "steal" and "from" to specify what is being stolen. People who sign onto social welfare when they don't really need it are just stealing off the government. After they caught their youngest son stealing money off them to pay for drugs, they had him shipped off to boarding school. A group of bandits has been stealing supplies off travelers that pass through the region.
See also: off, steal
steal out of (some place)
To leave some place secretly, inconspicuously, or discreetly. We stole out of the store before anyone had a chance to notice that we'd taken anything. I stole out of the meeting to answer a phone call about a new job opportunity.
See also: of, out, steal
steal over (someone or something)
1. To cover or move across someone or something slowly and gradually. Dark, ominous clouds stole over us, threatening to drench our picnic with rain. A shadow stole over the city as the giant spaceship blotted out the sun.
2. Of a state or condition, to engulf, envelop, or consume someone or something. Chaos stole over the entire country following the collapse of the monarchy. Gut-wrenching despair stole over us as we realized we were all going to lose our jobs.
See also: over, steal
steal the march on (someone or something)
To gain an unexpected or surreptitious advantage over someone or something, as by accomplishing something before, or better than, someone else. The retail business managed to steal the march on its competitors by signing an exclusive export agreement with Europe. John and I were both trying to win Courtney's heart, but he stole the march on me when he managed to get tickets to see Courtney's favorite band.
See also: march, on, steal
steal the march over (someone or something)
To gain an unexpected or surreptitious advantage over someone or something, as by accomplishing something before, or better than, someone else. The retail business managed to steal the march over its competitors by signing an exclusive export agreement with Europe. John and I were both trying to win Courtney's heart, but he stole the march over me when he managed to get tickets to see Courtney's favorite band.
See also: march, over, steal
steal the march upon (someone or something)
To gain an unexpected or surreptitious advantage over someone or something, as by accomplishing something before, or better than, someone else. The retail business managed to steal the march upon its competitors by signing an exclusive export agreement with Europe. John and I were both trying to win Courtney's heart, but he stole the march upon me when he managed to get tickets to see Courtney's favorite band.
See also: march, steal, upon
steal the show
To become the main focus of attention or deliver the most captivating performance in the presence of one or more others, typically unexpectedly. The opening band totally stole the show tonight—they were amazing. I'm sorry, I was trying to listen to your speech, but your adorable little sister stole the show when she came prancing out here.
See also: show, steal
steal the spotlight
To garner attention or praise at the expense of someone or something else. My brother is the star athlete of our high school, so no matter what I succeed in, he's constantly stealing the spotlight. We were just about to announce our engagement when Jeff and Tina stole the spotlight and revealed that they were going to have a baby.
See also: spotlight, steal
steal up on (someone or something)
1. To approach someone or something in a quick, sneaky, and furtive manner so as to reach them or it without being noticed. Someone managed to steal up on Sneaky Pete, which I thought was all but impossible! The spy stole up on the guard tower and cut the power to the lights and security cameras.
2. To happen to or unfold before someone in a very quick, imperceptible manner. It seems like old age has stolen up on me in the blink of an eye. Where have all the years gone? It feels like the gentrification of this town stole up on those of us who've lived here our whole lives.
See also: on, steal, up
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
steal a base
Fig. to sneak from one base to another in baseball. The runner stole second base, but he nearly got put out on the way. Tom runs so slowly that he never tries to steal a base.
See also: base, steal
steal away (from someone or something)
to sneak away from someone or something. The thief stole away from the policeman. We stole away from the boring lecture.
See also: away, steal
steal the spotlight
and steal the show Fig.to give the best performance in a show, play, or some other event; to get attention for oneself. The lead in the play was very good, but the butler stole the show. Ann always tries to steal the spotlight when she and I make a presentation.
See also: spotlight, steal
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
steal the show
Also, steal the spotlight. Be the center of attention, as in The speeches were interesting but Eliza's singing stole the show. This idiom alludes to unexpectedly outshining the rest of the cast in a theatrical production. [First half of 1900s]
See also: show, steal
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
steal a march
COMMON If you steal a march on someone, you do something before them and so gain an advantage over them. Investors from other countries will be annoyed that their rivals have once again stolen a march on them.. In the 1980s, they stole a march on other Europeans by attracting massive amounts of foreign investment. Note: If an army steals a march on the enemy, it moves secretly and takes the enemy by surprise.
See also: march, steal
steal the show
COMMON If someone or something in a show or other event steals the show, they are more impressive or amusing than anyone or anything else and, as a result, get more attention or praise. All three singers gave impressive performances but it was Domingo who stole the show. It's Jack Lemmon who finally steals the show, turning in his finest performance in years. Note: You can describe someone or something that gets more attention than other people or things as a show-stealer. The show-stealer at Citywalk, however, isn't some Hollywood megastar, but a giant gorilla that hangs like King Kong from the front of the store.
See also: show, steal
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
steal the show
attract the most attention and praise.See also: show, steal
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
like the ˌcat that got, stole, etc. the ˈcream
very pleased or satisfied with yourself: Ever since she won that prize, she’s been like the cat that got the cream.See also: cat, cream, like, that
steal a ˈkiss (from somebody)
(literary) kiss somebody suddenly or secretly: This is the place where he first stole a kiss from me, when I was only twelve.See also: kiss, steal
steal the ˈshow
attract more attention and praise than other people in a particular situation: Actors don’t like working with animals because they often steal the show.See also: show, steal
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
steal away
v.
To leave quietly without being noticed: During the party, the lovers stole away to the garden.
See also: away, steal
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
- like the cat that got, stole, etc. the cream
- like the cat that stole the cream
- like the cat that's got the cream
- like the cat that got the cream
- look like the cat that ate the canary
- look like the cat that swallowed the canary
- wash (one's) hands of (someone or something)
- wash hands of
- wash one's hands of
- wash your hands of somebody/something