Definition
小偷小摸 is a fixed four-character expression (成语) referring to acts of petty theft or pilfering — stealing small, inexpensive items rather than committing grand theft. It is often used as a verb-like phrase (做小偷小摸的事) or as a noun describing the behavior itself. The literal meaning is 'little thief, little touch', but it functions as a single lexical unit.
f.e.
(fixed expression) petty theftpilferingsmall-time stealing
Examples
- 小偷小摸，。Tā xiǎoshíhou jiù yǒu xiǎo tōu xiǎo mō de huài xíguàn, hòulái gǎi hǎo le.He had a bad habit of petty theft when he was young, but later he reformed.
- 小偷小摸，。Gōngsī lǐ zuìjìn xiǎo tōu xiǎo mō de shìqíng shí yǒu fāshēng, xūyào jiāqiáng guǎnlǐ.Incidents of pilfering have been happening from time to time in the company recently; management needs to be strengthened.
- ，小偷小摸。Rénrén dōu yīnggāi chéngshí, bùnéng zuò xiǎo tōu xiǎo mō de shì.Everyone should be honest and not engage in petty theft.
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