顺手牵羊

順手牽羊
shùnshǒuqiānyáng
idiom #21,382

Meanings

  1. 1 to steal something opportunistically
  2. 2 to take advantage of an opportunity to pilfer
  3. 3 to pocket something while no one is looking

Examples

Tā shùnshǒu qiān yáng, bǎ shāngdiàn lǐ de yī kuài táng fàng jìn le kǒudài.
He pocketed a piece of candy from the shop while no one was looking.
Chèn dàjiā bù zhùyì, tā shùnshǒu qiān yáng ná zǒu le qiánbāo.
While everyone was distracted, he opportunistically took the wallet.

Tips

history
顺手牵羊 is Stratagem No. 12 of the 36 Stratagems (三十六), a collection of Chinese military and political tactics. It advises: when an opportunity presents itself, seize it without hesitation — even a small gain is worthwhile. Literally 'to lead away a sheep that crosses your path'.
memory
Picture a shepherd walking past a stray sheep and casually taking it along — not a planned theft, just seizing an easy opportunity. That's 顺手牵羊: effortless, opportunistic pilfering.

Stroke Order

shùn
shǒu
qiān
yáng