heist
HYST
/haɪst/
A large-scale, carefully planned robbery, typically from a bank or museum.
A heist is not just a theft; it is an event. It implies a team of criminals, a complex plan, and a high-value target.
The story behind the word. Originally a dialectal variant of 'hoist' (to lift). In the early 20th century, it became slang for 'lifting' or stealing something valuable.
Word relationships
- robbery: The general term; heist is a specific, grand type of robbery.
- caper: A more lighthearted or adventurous term for a heist.
Commonly confused with
- robbery: A heist is a specific type of robbery that is grand in scale and planning.
Word family
- heister (noun): A person who takes part in a heist (rare).
Collocations
- diamond heist
- jewel heist
- bank heist
- pull off a heist
Example sentences
- "'Ocean's Eleven' is the quintessential heist movie, featuring a complex plot to rob three casinos." Film Review
- "The 1990 Lufthansa heist remains one of the most famous unsolved crimes in American history." News Report (The New York Times)
Memory hook
Heist sounds like 'highest' stakes robbery. A grand, planned robbery.
When not to use
Do not use heist for a simple mugging or a small shoplifting incident.
Fun facts
- The 'Antwerp Diamond Heist' of 2003 is often called the 'heist of the century' because the thieves bypassed world-class security.
- The word 'heist' was popularized by pulp fiction and crime movies in the 1940s.
Explore more words
larceny, scam, riot, surveillance, embezzlement, trafficking
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