steal a fish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "steal a fish" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing theft, fishing, or metaphorically in various scenarios. Example: "In the story, the protagonist decides to steal a fish to feed his family, highlighting the desperation of his situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I knew that he would be more concerned to see one of his children steal a fish from a neighbor's pond than he was to see one of us wear a Lenin T-shirt and the other vote PDP.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Don Quixote (Royal Ballet, Royal Opera House Sancho Panzaa (Philip Mosley), ever the glutton, steals a large fish from Lorenzo's stall but is seen, panics and hands the fish back.

The Guardian

Steal a fishing hook and they hang you," read one oft-forwarded proverb.

The New York Times

It isn't pretty – they fish, they steal a rifle and shoot a wild pig and rustle songbird's eggs to eat.

The Guardian - Books

Did Scientologists Steal a Quarter Tonne of Gold from a Fishing Boat?

Vice

Fish sauce: A mother sauce (to steal a term from the French) of Southeast Asia in which lots of fish are fermented in vats of brine.

Los Angeles Times

To steal a ball, say, "steals ball".

WikiHow

The employee also told detectives that Argueta also stole a $100 platinum clown fish and $40 Percula fish from the business last October.

Los Angeles Times

The audacious little fish who steals a hat from a much bigger fish is sure he'll get away with it … readers know better.

The Guardian - Books

A plucky little fish has stolen a dapper little hat from a sleeping big fish.

The New York Times - Books

The employee reported that Argueta also stole a blue tang — a tropical fish valued at $100 — back in March, the Glendale News-Press reported.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "steal a fish" in creative writing, consider the tone and character motivations. Is it a desperate act for survival, or a mischievous prank?

Common error

While "steal a fish" is grammatically sound, avoid using it in highly formal or professional writing unless the context specifically calls for it. Opt for more precise language depending on the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "steal a fish" primarily functions as a verb phrase describing an action, where 'steal' is the verb and 'a fish' is the direct object. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

25%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "steal a fish" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to describe the act of taking a fish without permission. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for various contexts, though predominantly found in news and informal settings. While there's an abundance of alternative ways to say steal a fish, which vary from casual to archaic, this phrase’s directness and clear meaning make it a useful term, especially in narrative or descriptive writing. When using "steal a fish", consider your audience and aim for the tone you want to achieve. While grammatically correct, its usage in formal writing could be less appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

poach a fish

Focuses on illegal fishing, often involving protected species or areas.

swipe a fish

Uses a more casual term for stealing, implying a less serious offense.

pilfer a fish

Emphasizes petty theft or the act of stealing something of little value.

appropriate a fish

Suggests taking possession of a fish, possibly without explicit permission.

snatch a fish

Implies a quick, opportunistic act of stealing.

take a fish unlawfully

A formal way of saying stealing with emphasis on the legal aspect of stealing.

purloin a fish

A somewhat archaic term for stealing, suggesting a sense of secrecy or stealth.

embezzle a fish

Typically refers to the misappropriation of funds, but can be humorously applied.

liberate a fish

Suggests freeing a fish from captivity, with a subtle implication of theft from its owner.

abscond with a fish

implies secretly running off with it. It's a more dramatic way to describe taking something without permission.

FAQs

How can I use "steal a fish" in a sentence?

You can use "steal a fish" in a sentence to describe the act of taking a fish without permission. For example: "The hungry bear attempted to steal a fish from the fisherman's net."

What are some synonyms for "steal a fish"?

Alternatives to "steal a fish" include "poach a fish", "swipe a fish", or "pilfer a fish".

Is it grammatically correct to say "steal a fish"?

Yes, "steal a fish" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard verb-object structure in English.

What is the difference between "steal a fish" and "go fishing"?

"Steal a fish" implies taking a fish illegally or without permission, while "go fishing" refers to the activity of trying to catch fish, usually legally.