stealing
stealing — noun
1. an item that is sold for far less than what it is normally worth, making the buy
an item that is sold for far less than what it is normally worth, making the buyer feel they got a very good deal
At that price the winter coat is an absolute stealing — I am buying two.
pattern: be a stealing at + [price]
The second-hand bookshop had a shelf of novels at fifty cents each; what a stealing.
Javier found a leather sofa marked down from eight hundred to two hundred dollars — a total stealing.
The travel deal included flights and a five-night hotel stay for just three hundred dollars — a complete stealing.
- bargain
standard term for a good deal; 'steal/stealing' is more informal and implies the price is astonishingly low
- deal
general term for an arrangement or offer; 'steal/stealing' stresses the buyer's advantage
- bargain price
compound noun describing the low cost rather than the item itself
- rip-off
opposite — an item that costs far more than it is worth
文法句型
be a stealing at + [price]
be stealing for + [amount]
用法筆記
This sense is informal and most common in spoken American English. It usually appears with the indefinite article: 'a stealing'. The synonym 'a steal' is more frequent in everyday speech.
2. the action of a base runner moving from one base to the next during the pitcher'
the action of a base runner moving from one base to the next during the pitcher's delivery and before the batter can hit the ball, aiming to reach safely before being tagged out
The rookie's stealing of second base in the ninth inning changed the whole game.
pattern: stealing of + [base]
Fans cheered when the catcher spotted a stealing attempt and threw the runner out at second.
The team practiced stealing every day until the players could read the pitcher's moves.
Kenji led the league with forty-two successful stealings in a single season.
- stolen base
the standard baseball term; 'stealing' is the gerund describing the action
- steal
shorter noun form used in statistics and commentary
- caught stealing
when the runner is tagged out during the attempt
文法句型
a stealing of + [base]
用法筆記
In modern baseball commentary the shorter noun 'steal' is far more common than 'stealing' for this sense. 'Stolen base' is the standard term for the achievement.
3. the act of taking someone else's possessions without asking or receiving permiss
the act of taking someone else's possessions without asking or receiving permission, keeping them as your own
The shop owner installed cameras to prevent stealing after several items went missing.
pattern: prevent + stealing
Fatima was shocked to discover her neighbour had been arrested for stealing from the charity fund.
pattern: arrested for stealing from + [place/group]
Stealing is a serious crime that can lead to a prison sentence or a heavy fine.
The security guard caught a teenager stealing a bag of sweets from the supermarket shelves.
An old sign on the wall read, 'Stealing is wrong — be honest and pay for what you take.'
文法句型
stealing of + [object]
accused of stealing
用法筆記
The noun 'stealing' and the more formal noun 'theft' are roughly interchangeable in this sense, though 'theft' is preferred in legal writing. 'Stealing' covers both petty acts (taking a candy bar) and serious crimes (stealing a car). Often followed by 'of' to specify what was taken.
常見錯誤
stealing — verb
1. to take something that belongs to another person or organisation without having
to take something that belongs to another person or organisation without having the right to do so, and to keep it or use it for yourself
Someone stole Dmitri's bicycle while he was inside the library studying for exams.
passive: was stolen; pattern: steal + [object] + while + [circumstance]
The teenager stole a chocolate bar from the corner shop and felt guilty about it all evening.
Amara's wallet was stolen on the crowded train during rush hour.
The curator discovered that someone had stolen three valuable paintings from the museum vault.
Elena warned the children never to steal anything, no matter how small or tempting.
文法句型
steal + [object]
steal + [object] + from + [person/place]
用法筆記
This is the most common meaning of 'steal'. The object of the verb is what is taken; the person or place it is taken from is introduced by 'from'. The passive voice ('was stolen') is very frequent in news and police reports.
常見錯誤
2. to do something quietly, quickly, or secretly so that other people do not see or
to do something quietly, quickly, or secretly so that other people do not see or hear you, or to move or go somewhere in a way that avoids attention
Wei stole a glance at the answer sheet when the teacher turned her back.
collocation: steal a glance at
The cat stole out of the kitchen through the open window while nobody was looking.
pattern: steal + preposition of direction
Ahmed stole a quick kiss on his daughter's forehead before leaving for work at dawn.
The dancers stole onto the stage while the lights were still dim.
A deep tiredness began to steal over Amara as she sat in the warm, quiet library.
文法句型
steal + [adverb/preposition]
steal + [noun] + [adverb]
用法筆記
In this sense 'steal' combines with prepositions and adverbs to create vivid images of quiet, secret, or gradual actions. Common patterns: 'steal a + noun' (steal a glance, steal a kiss), 'steal + adverb/preposition' (steal away, steal out, steal into), and 'steal over/upon' for gradual feelings.
常見錯誤
3. in baseball, a runner on base tries to advance to the next base during the pitch
in baseball, a runner on base tries to advance to the next base during the pitcher's throw, hoping to arrive safely before the defence can touch them with the ball
The shortstop stole third base while the catcher was still warming up his arm.
pattern: steal + [base] + while + [circumstance]
Sora stole second base easily because the pitcher had a very slow delivery.
The coach signaled the player to steal home, but the throw beat him to the plate.
Runners who steal bases need a good sense of timing and the pitcher's habits.
- get caught stealing
when the runner is tagged out during the attempt
文法句型
steal + [base]
用法筆記
The base is the direct object: 'steal second', 'steal third', 'steal home'. A player who attempts but fails is said to be 'caught stealing'. The noun form 'stolen base' is the standard term for the achievement.
常見錯誤
❌ 'He stole a base.' is also acceptable — the indefinite article is used when the specific base is not named.
4. in basketball, football, rugby, and similar sports, to take the ball away from a
in basketball, football, rugby, and similar sports, to take the ball away from an opposing player by intercepting a pass or knocking it free
Mei-Lin stole the ball from the point guard and raced down the court for a layup.
pattern: steal the ball from + [player]
The defender stole the pass and kicked the ball up the field before anyone could react.
Bjorn stole the rugby ball during a maul and sprinted fifty metres to score a try.
With ten seconds left on the clock, Omar stole the basketball and passed to the shooter.
- lose the ball
when a player's team gives up possession due to a turnover or mistake
文法句型
steal + the ball
steal + [possession] + from + [opponent]
用法筆記
Common in basketball commentary ('steal the ball', 'steal the pass') and other ball sports. The noun form 'a steal' (meaning the action of taking the ball) is also frequent in sports statistics.