Have sticky fingers
Meaning
To have a tendency to steal small items or engage in petty theft.
Origin
The phrase "have sticky fingers" paints a vivid, almost comical picture of someone whose digits are so prone to taking things that objects seemingly adhere to them. Its origin lies in this simple, yet powerful, metaphor. It likely emerged from the common experience of children with actual sticky fingers from sweets, where the stickiness made things cling, morphing into the idea that certain individuals have an irresistible, almost physical, tendency for objects to 'stick' to their grasp and be carried away surreptitiously. This playful yet pointed image became a widespread idiom by the early 20th century, perfectly capturing the essence of petty theft without resorting to harsher language, suggesting an inherent inclination rather than a deliberate, malicious act.
Examples
- The shop owner had to install extra security cameras because he suspected one of his employees had sticky fingers.
- Whenever snacks went missing from the break room, everyone wondered who had sticky fingers.