five-finger discount
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
Theft or pilferage, typically of a small item; shoplifting.
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
I was a burglary detective for three years before I joined the Speaker's Bureau, and you might say I managed to acquire a few things at a five-finger discount, if you catch my drift.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “five-finger discount” mean?
Theft or pilferage, typically of a small item; shoplifting.
Is “five-finger discount” formal or informal?
five-finger discount is generally slang.