順手牽羊 shùn shǒu qiān yáng

to steal when chance arises; petty theft

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. fig. to opportunistically pocket sb's possessions and walk off
  2. 2. lit. to lead away a goat while passing by (idiom)

Characters

Character Meaning
順 shùn
to follow; along; to obey
手 shǒu HSK 2
hand; personal(ly); person engaged in certain types of work
牽 qiān
to lead along; to pull (an animal on a tether); to draw in
羊 yáng HSK 2
sheep; goat; surname Yang