cat burglar (english) - meaning, definition, translation, pronunciation

Part of Speech

Noun

Phonetic Transcription

/kæt ˈbɜrɡlər/

Meaning and Usage

A "cat burglar" refers to a type of burglar who enters a building stealthily and typically without causing significant damage, often through climbing or utilizing skills similar to those of a cat. This term is often used to describe someone who commits theft, particularly involving discreet or stealthy methods. The frequency of use is moderate, with the term appearing more commonly in written contexts such as literature, news articles, and crime reports rather than in everyday oral speech.

Example Sentences

1. The police managed to catch the notorious cat burglar who had been terrorizing the neighborhood for months.

2. Полиция смогла поймать знаменитого "котобурмодера", который терроризировал район в течение нескольких месяцев.

3. The museum hired additional security after they learned that a cat burglar had targeted their valuable exhibits.

4. Музей нанял дополнительную охрану после того, как узнал, что "котобурмодер" нацелился на их ценные экспонаты.

5. He considered himself a cat burglar, always slipping in and out of places unnoticed.

6. Он считал себя "котобурмодером", всегда незаметно проникая в места и покидая их.

Idiomatic Expressions

The term "cat burglar" is often involved in various idiomatic phrases, particularly those related to stealth or cunning. While it primarily stands alone, it is reflective of other idiomatic expressions pertaining to secrecy and cleverness.

Example Sentences

1. Stealth is his forte; he's always as quiet as a cat burglar when he sneaks into the office after hours.

2. Тихий – это его сильная сторона; он всегда тих, как "котобурмодер", когда под Sneaks в офис после рабочего времени.

3. In the middle of the night, she slipped out like a cat burglar, so her parents wouldn't notice.

4. Посреди ночи она исчезла, как "котобурмодер", чтобы ее родители не заметили.

5. The way he maneuvered through the crowded party reminded me of a cat burglar on a mission.

6. То, как он маневрировал среди толпы на вечеринке, напоминало мне "котобурмодера" с заданием.

Etymology

The term "cat burglar" combines "cat," referencing the animal's agility, stealth, and ability to avoid detection, and "burglar," which derives from the Middle English word "burgeor," meaning a person who commits burglary (from the Old French "burgeor" and Latin "burgare"). The phrase likely became popular in the early 20th century, paralleling an increase in urban crime and heist films.

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms: - Sneak thief - burglar - thief

Antonyms: - Honest person - Law-abiding citizen - Defender

By understanding the term "cat burglar," one can appreciate how language conveys the nuances of clandestine activities and the specialized lexicon that describes characters and behaviors found in crime narratives.