pilfer; take something opportunistically
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesidiom
to pilfer; to pocket something that doesn't belong to one; to take advantage of a situation to steal
Originally the 12th of the Thirty-Six Stratagems (三十六计), referring to exploiting an opponent's vulnerability to seize benefits. In modern usage, it most commonly refers to petty theft—taking items when no one is looking—or metaphorically to opportunistic behavior. Can carry a humorous or self-deprecating tone when used lightly.
Tā他
lù路
guò过
shāng商
diàn店
shí时
shùn顺
shǒu手
qiān牵
yáng羊
ná拿
zǒu走
le了
yī一
píng瓶
shuǐ水
。
He pocketed a bottle of water when passing by the store.
Chāo超
shì市
lǐ里
de的
shè摄
xiàng像
tóu头
shì是
wèi为
le了
fáng防
zhǐ止
gù顾
kè客
shùn顺
shǒu手
qiān牵
yáng羊
。
The cameras in the supermarket are there to prevent customers from pilfering.
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Zhè这
bù不
shì是
tōu偷
，
zhǐ只
shì是
shùn顺
shǒu手
qiān牵
yáng羊
ér而
yǐ已
。
It's not stealing, just taking advantage of the situation.
Sān三
shí十
liù六
jì计
zhōng中
de的
shùn顺
shǒu手
qiān牵
yáng羊
shì是
zhǐ指
chèn趁
dí敌
fāng方
xū虚
ruò弱
shí时
duó夺
qǔ取
lì利
yì益
。
In the Thirty-Six Stratagems, 'hitching a ride on the sheep' refers to seizing benefits when the enemy is weak.