have one's hand in the till
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English[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From the most basic form of the crime: a shop assistant removing cash from the register.
Pronunciation[edit]
Audio (AU) (file)
Verb[edit]
have one's hand in the till (third-person singular simple present has one's hand in the till, present participle having one's hand in the till, simple past and past participle had one's hand in the till)
- (idiomatic) To embezzle, to steal from one's place of business.
- 1990, House of Cards, season 1, episode 1:
- Francis Urquhart: You've been a bit of a bad lad, haven't you, Roger?
Roger O'Neill: What?
FU: You've had your hand in the till.
RO: Francis, you're joking!
FU: Your expenses are paid by Central Office, aren't they? But you've been claiming quite large sums from the advertising agency as well. It's a bit naughty, Roger.
Usage notes[edit]
- Various similar constructions are also found, e.g. with one's hands in the till.
Translations[edit]
to steal money that one has been trusted with
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