What it means
To swipe something is to nick it, usually in a quick, cheeky way, like pinching a mate’s chips when they look away. Thanks to Tinder and copycat apps, swipe also means the little thumb move that decides who you fancy and who you’re binning off. Context does all the heavy lifting, otherwise you sound like a proper menace.
Usage examples
"Went to grab my Tesco meal deal and some little gremlin had swiped it. Then I’m on Tinder, swiping right like a loon, begging for karma."
"Someone swiped my umbrella from the office stand, now I'm getting soaked on the walk to the bus."
"He swiped the last roast potato off my plate when I turned to grab the gravy, absolute villain."
Other ways to say it
Editors of this term
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