Caught red-handed

gzlaser

A gang of armed robbers tied up employees at a southern England security company and stole an estimated 53 million pounds. The Bank of England said the robbery was one of the largest bank heists in British history. Robber? To steal? Bank heist? Confused about these similar but different words? Take a close look at them.

heist (抢劫，大劫案): a slang used mostly in American English. It means an act of stealing something valuable from a store, museum, home etc. Often a crime that involves elaborate planning.

In a spectacular heist here a year ago, four gunmen walked into the largest bank in the city in broad daylight and walked out with 5 million dollars.

robbery(抢劫): the crime of stealing things from a bank or a shop, especially using violence.

He received a 10-year prison sentence for armed robbery.

=>rob: v. rob a place of something, e.g. rob the shop of jewellery

theft (偷窃): the crime of stealing, usually without violence involved. The person who commits a theft is called a thief. Other similar words include shoplift (店内行窃) and pick-pocket (扒手)

The store owner called the police and reported the theft.

=>steal: v. steal sth from a place or person

burglary (入室盗窃): the crime of getting into a building to steal things.

I came home at night, only to find a burglar broke into my house and took my money and stereo.

=>burgle: v. burgle a house

=>cat burglar (飞贼): a burglar who enters buildings by climbing in through an opening in the roof or an upper-storey window