Steal  —v. (past stole; past part. Stolen) 1 (also absol.) Take (another's property) illegally or without right or permission, esp. In secret. 2 obtain surreptitiously, insidiously, or artfully (stole a kiss). 3 (foll. By in, out, away, up, etc.) Move, esp. Silently or stealthily. —n. 1 us colloq. Act of stealing or theft. 2 colloq. Easy task or good bargain.  steal a march on get an advantage over by surreptitious means. Steal the show outshine other performers, esp. Unexpectedly. Steal a person's thunder take away the attention due to someone else by using his or her words, ideas, etc. [old english]