sticky fingers

sticky fingers pl (plural only)

1. (idiomatic) An inclination to steal.

   You'd better lock up your belongings before handing your keys to a valet; some of them have sticky fingers.

2. (idiomatic) Petty thieves.

   There are too many sticky fingers around for me to leave my purse unattended.

• sticky-fingered

• five-finger discount
• long arms
• pilfery