mouch

A cat mouch about the quiet garden at dusk.

Definition

1. Verb (intransitive):

   • To wander or roam idly: "mouch" means to move about aimlessly or without purpose, often in a stealthy or casual manner.
   • To sneak or move furtively: It can also imply moving in a secretive or sly way.

2. Verb (transitive):

   • To steal or pilfer: In slang usage, "mouch" means to take something dishonestly, especially in a petty or sneaky way.

Usage Examples

• Intransitive verb (wandering):

  • He spent the afternoon mouching about the city streets, looking for something to do. (He wandered aimlessly around the city.)
  • The cat mouched along the fence, watching the birds. (The cat moved stealthily along the fence.)

• Intransitive verb (sneaking):

  • She mouched into the room without making a sound. (She entered the room quietly and secretly.)

• Transitive verb (stealing):

  • Someone mouched my wallet while I wasn't looking. (Someone stole my wallet.)
  • He was caught mouching candy from the store. (He was caught stealing candy.)

Advanced Usage

• "to mouch about": to wander around idly or without purpose.

  • The teenagers were mouching about the mall, killing time. (They were loitering aimlessly.)

• "to mouch along": to move slowly and stealthily.

  • The detective mouched along the dark corridor. (He moved carefully and secretly.)

Variants and Related Words

• Moucher (noun): a person who wanders idly or steals.

  • The old moucher was known for begging and petty theft. (A person who wanders and steals.)

• Mouchy (adjective): characteristic of wandering or stealing; sneaky.

  • His mouchy behavior made everyone suspicious. (His sneaky actions caused distrust.)

Synonyms

• Loaf: to spend time idly.
• Skulk: to move stealthily or hide.
• Pilfer: to steal items of small value.
• Sneak: to move or act in a secretive way.

Phrasal Verbs

• Mouch around: to wander aimlessly.

  • Stop mouching around and do some work! (Stop wasting time.)

• Mouch off: to leave stealthily.

  • He mouched off before anyone noticed. (He left secretly.)

Related Idioms

• On the mouch: engaged in wandering or stealing.

  • The police caught him on the mouch late at night. (He was wandering or stealing.)

• Mouch one's way: to achieve something by sneaky or dishonest means.

  • He mouched his way into the party without a ticket. (He entered by sneaking or deception.)