half-inch
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To pinch, to steal.
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
No cox'n will ever be hanged; he will always have "half-inched" the rope from the hangman first.
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 “half-inch” mean?
To pinch, to steal.
Is “half-inch” formal or informal?
half-inch is generally slang.