PhrasesHub

To have sticky fingers

    Definitions

      • tendency to steal
        Describing someone who has a habit of taking things that do not belong to them, especially without permission

      • tendency to make mistakes
        Referring to someone who frequently makes errors or causes problems, especially in a particular situation or task

    Examples of To have sticky fingers

    • Sally kept stealing candy from her grandmother's purse. Every time she was caught, she had sticky fingers from where she had been wiping them clean.

      The expression "to have sticky fingers" means to have sticky or messy hands, often as a result of trying to hide or conceal something. In this example, Sally's sticky fingers are evidence of her guilty actions.

    • Before he could start dinner, John's sticky fingers kept getting in the way, smudging the recipe as he tried to read it.

      Here, "sticky fingers" refers to someone who has a habit of touching things they shouldn't, causing messes or mistakes.

    • The detective noticed that the robber had sticky fingers after breaking into the store. The prints on the jar of honey he had stolen were still visible.

      In this example, "sticky fingers" is used to describe someone who has just committed a crime, and whose hands are dirty or covered in evidence as a result.

    • My child has been snacking all day, and now his sticky fingers are a constant annoyance as he keeps touching everything in sight.

      "Sticky fingers" can also be used to describe someone who is constantly eating or snacking, leaving a trail of stickiness behind them.

    • The cashier suspected that the customer had sticky fingers, as she noticed small amounts of money missing from the register every time she turned her back to tend to other customers.

      This idiom is used when someone is suspected of stealing or misappropriating something, particularly small items or amounts, due to evidence such as residue or marks left behind on their hands.

    • The chef warned his apprentices to keep their hands away from the desserts, lest they develop sticky fingers from constantly tasting the goodies before they could be served.

      This idiom is used more metaphorically in cases where someone is prone to indulging in something, particularly something tempting or delicious, to the point where they can no longer resist it.

    • The student had sticky fingers from eating too many snacks during the exam, making it difficult for her to turn the pages of the test booklet without leaving greasy smudges on the paper.

      This idiom is used to describe someone whose hands are coated with residue or grease, typically resulting from handling food or drinks.

    • The detective discovered that the robber had sticky fingers from the DNA left behind on the stolen goods, leading to his eventual capture and conviction.

      This more scientific interpretation of the idiom is used to describe evidence found at a crime scene that leads investigators to identify a suspect or perpetrator, particularly through the analysis of bodily fluids or cells found at the scene of the crime.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "to have sticky fingers" can be used to describe someone who either has a tendency to steal or a tendency to make mistakes. In the first sense, it refers to someone who takes things that do not belong to them, while in the second sense, it refers to someone who frequently makes errors or causes problems.

    Origin of "To have sticky fingers"

    The origin of the idiom "to have sticky fingers" is not entirely clear, but it is believed to have originated from the literal act of having fingers covered in a sticky substance. This would make it difficult to handle objects without getting them dirty or causing them to stick to the fingers. Over time, the expression evolved to take on a figurative meaning, referring to a person's tendency to either steal or make mistakes. The idiom has been used in English language for many years and is still commonly used today to describe someone with these tendencies.

    Examples of "to have sticky fingers" being used in literature or other forms of media could also be included to provide further context for the origin and usage of the idiom.