opportunity makes the thief
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Also seen as: opportunity makes a thief
Meaning · English
People are more likely to steal something if presented with a convenient opportunity to do so.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “opportunity makes the thief” mean?
People are more likely to steal something if presented with a convenient opportunity to do so.
Is “opportunity makes the thief” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.