What it means
Cockney rhyming slang for a thief, because tea leaf rhymes with thief. Often said with a knowing look when you reckon someone’s nicking things or looks a bit sticky-fingered. It can be a proper insult, but it’s also used jokingly between mates when someone pinches a chip or nicks your lighter.
Usage examples
"Keep your wallet zipped on the Tube, bruv. I blinked and some tea leaf was already elbowing out the doors like nothing happened."
"Keep an eye on your phone in there, the place is crawling with tea leaves on a Saturday night."
"Some little tea leaf nicked the lead off the church roof again, third time this year already."
Where it comes from
Pure Cockney rhyming slang from the East End of London: tea leaf rhymes with thief, so a tea leaf is someone with sticky fingers. Like all the best rhyming slang it hides the meaning in plain sight, a cup of tea turned into a quiet warning. Watch your bag around that tea leaf.
Other ways to say it
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