Definition

1. Noun:

   • A small bag sewn into or on clothing: A pouch-like part of a garment, used for carrying small items.
   • A small, isolated area or group: A small, distinct area or group that is different from its surroundings.
   • A cavity or hollow space: A natural or artificial hollow or enclosed space.
   • A supply of money; financial resources: (Often used in phrases) Refers to one's personal money or finances.
   • In billiards/pool, an opening at the corner or side of the table: One of the netted or holed openings into which balls are struck.

2. Verb:

   • To put something into one's pocket: To place or conceal something in a pocket.
   • To take something, especially dishonestly or secretly: To appropriate something for oneself, often unlawfully or without right.
   • To suppress or conceal (a feeling): To hold back or hide an emotion, such as pride or anger.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • He put his keys in his pocket. (He placed his keys in the pouch of his trousers.)
  • There are still pockets of poverty in the wealthy city. (Small, isolated areas of poverty exist within the generally rich city.)
  • The plane hit an air pocket and dropped suddenly. (The plane encountered a localized region of low air pressure.)
  • The new tax will come directly out of the consumer's pocket. (The tax will be paid directly by the consumer using their own money.)
  • He sank the eight-ball in the corner pocket. (He successfully hit the eight-ball into the opening at the corner of the pool table.)

• Verb:

  • She pocketed the receipt after paying. (She put the receipt into her pocket.)
  • The corrupt official was found to have pocketed public funds. (The official had taken public money for personal use.)
  • He had to pocket his pride and ask for help. (He had to suppress his feelings of pride.)

Advanced Usage

• "To be in someone's pocket": To be under someone's control or influence.
  • The politician was accused of being in the lobbyist's pocket.
• "To be out of pocket":
  • (UK): To have lost money as a result of something.

    • I was £50 out of pocket after the transaction.
  • (US): To be unavailable or unreachable.

    • I'll be out of pocket all afternoon at the doctor's office.
• "To line one's (own) pockets": To make money for oneself, especially in a dishonest way.
  • The contractor was lining his pockets with funds meant for the project.

Variants and Related Words

• Pocketful (n): As much as a pocket will hold.
  • He gave me a pocketful of coins.
• Pocketable (adj): Small enough to be carried in a pocket.
  • A pocketable camera.
• Pocket-sized / Pocket-size (adj): Very small; compact.
  • A pocket-sized dictionary.
• Air pocket (n): A region of low air pressure causing aircraft to drop suddenly.
• Pocket watch (n): A watch designed to be carried in a pocket, not worn on the wrist.

Synonyms

• Noun (for pouch): Pouch, compartment, sack.
• Noun (for isolated area): Enclave, island, patch.
• Verb (to take dishonestly): Embezzle, misappropriate, steal, filch.

Related Phrasal Verbs / Phrases

• Pocket something up: To accept or endure something unpleasant without complaining.
  • He had to pocket up the insult.
• Pick someone's pocket: To steal from someone's pocket without them noticing.
  • A thief picked his pocket on the crowded train.

Related Idioms

• Burn a hole in one's pocket: Said of money that one is eager to spend quickly.
  • The bonus was burning a hole in his pocket, so he went shopping.
• Deep pockets: Having substantial financial resources.
  • We need an investor with deep pockets for this venture.
• Put your hand in your pocket: To spend or give money.
  • It's time for the government to put its hand in its pocket and fund the schools.

Noun

1. an opening at the corner or on the side of a billiard table into which billiard balls are struck
2. (anatomy) saclike structure in any of various animals (as a marsupial or gopher or pelican)
3. a small isolated group of people
   • they were concentrated in pockets inside the city
   • the battle was won except for cleaning up pockets of resistance
4. a local region of low pressure or descending air that causes a plane to lose height suddenly
5. a hollow concave shape made by removing something
6. (bowling) the space between the headpin and the pins behind it on the right or left
   • the ball hit the pocket and gave him a perfect strike
7. a supply of money
   • they dipped into the taxpayers' pockets
8. an enclosed space
   • the trapped miners found a pocket of air
9. a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles

Verb

1. take unlawfully
2. put in one's pocket
   • He pocketed the change