sticky-fingered

comparative more sticky-fingered · superlative most sticky-fingered

1. idiomaticinformalOf a person, inclined or prone to steal, especially of engaging in petty theft while handling money or goods.

   Sticky-fingered customers and employees make off with $9 billion in merchandise annually.

   1990 December 17, “The Five-Fingered Discount”, in Time

   2 more examples

   Well, she sneaks around the world from Kiev to Carolina / She's a sticky-fingered filcher from Berlin down to Belize

   1991, “Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego”, Sean Altman, David Yazbek (music)

   A sticky-fingered teller was charged with stealing more than $190000 from her Queens bank in the past four months.

   2004 May 8, Jonathan LeMire, “Queens Teller Swiped 190G, Cops Say”, in New York Daily News, retrieved 22 Jul 2011

2. idiomatichobbiesSkillful in catching or handling the ball, in such games as baseball, football, basketball, etc.

   Chicago's sticky-fingered defense intercepted five of YA Tittle's passes.

   1963 December 30, “Bears Win, 14 to 10; Take Title”, in Boston Globe, retrieved 22 Jul 2011, page 13

   1 more example

   His batting average has hovered in the .330s all season and he has played his usual sticky-fingered defense at second.

   2007 June 13, Jon Krawczynski, “Twins 7, Braves 3”, in USA Today, retrieved 22 Jul 2011

1. participlepastsimple past and past participle of sticky-finger