stop a thief

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stop a thief" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is attempting to prevent or intervene in a theft. Example: "As soon as I saw the man running with the stolen bag, I shouted for help to stop a thief."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

In crime prevention, one school of thought holds that to stop a thief, you hire one.

The New York Times - Science

However, while the passcode lock prevents access to personal data stored on the watch, it does nothing to stop a thief from resetting the Apple Watch back to factory settings and reactivating it.

The Guardian - Tech

"An immobilizer won’t stop a thief from putting an Escalade on a flatbed and hauling it off," Rader says.

Forbes

If your phone is stolen, this lock out will stop a thief from accessing your private data.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The citizen crime patrol group stopped a thief who was allegedly trying to steal a camera from two students on the Chicago Transit Authority's Red Line Tuesday, the Chicago Tribune reports.

Huffington Post

He suggested most smartphone users already have their handset pin-enabled, which would stop a phone thief making lots of purchases.

The Guardian - Money

Premise: A detective tries to stop a notorious thief from pulling off one more job before retirement.

Huffington Post

However, "He blithely ignores the chance to stop a fleeing thief, [and] his indifference ironically catches up with him when the same criminal later robs and kills his Uncle Ben".

Wikipedia

Buy A Good Chain A bicycle chain probably won't stop an experienced thief.

Huffington Post

4) You can't stop a well-dressed thief in a suit, or their hired slug with a chisel, from removing your wall work and hauling it off to their lair, garage, museum or art market..

Vice

Some thieves think they are really clever - this may not stop a really brazen thief.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stop a thief" when you want to emphasize the immediate action of preventing someone from committing a theft. It's a direct and impactful phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "stop a thief" when the situation involves recovering stolen goods after the theft has already occurred. Instead, focus on actions like "recovering stolen property" or "apprehending the thief."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stop a thief" primarily functions as a verb phrase. It describes the action of preventing a theft from occurring or apprehending someone in the process of committing a theft. Ludwig examples demonstrate its usage in various contexts, reflecting its role in conveying immediate intervention.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "stop a thief" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that conveys the act of preventing or apprehending a thief. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. It is prevalent in News & Media and Wiki sources, indicating its widespread understanding. Alternatives like "catch a thief" or "apprehend a thief" offer similar meanings with slight nuances. When writing, it's important to use "stop a thief" to emphasize immediate action to prevent theft rather than describing actions taken after a theft has occurred.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

catch a thief

This phrase is a direct synonym, focusing on the act of capturing the thief.

apprehend a thief

This phrase emphasizes the formal act of arresting a thief.

thwart a thief

This phrase highlights the act of preventing the thief from succeeding.

prevent a theft

This phrase shifts the focus to preventing the act of theft itself.

foil a robbery

This phrase implies a more elaborate or planned act of theft being stopped.

halt a larceny

This is a more formal term for stopping a theft.

intercept a burglar

This alternative specifies the type of thief being stopped.

obstruct a pilferer

This option refers to stopping someone who is stealing small items.

deter a shoplifter

This implies preventing someone from stealing from a store.

check a pickpocket

This is specific to stopping someone who is stealing from pockets.

FAQs

How can I use "stop a thief" in a sentence?

You can use "stop a thief" to describe the action of preventing someone from stealing something. For example: "The security guard managed to "stop a thief" from escaping with the merchandise."

What are some alternatives to "stop a thief"?

Alternatives include phrases like "catch a thief", "apprehend a thief", or "thwart a thief", each carrying slightly different connotations.

Is it grammatically correct to say "stop a thief"?

Yes, "stop a thief" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. It functions as a verb phrase with "stop" as the verb and "a thief" as the object.

When should I use "stop a thief" versus "catch a thief"?

"Stop a thief" implies preventing the act of theft, while "catch a thief" suggests apprehending the thief after or during the act. The choice depends on whether the focus is on prevention or apprehension.