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What is a good term for instruments (tools) a thief uses?

Thief tools

Thief stuff

Thief gear

Something else?

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3 Answers

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"Tools" is the most appropriate term and I would use the following phrases:

The thief's tools...

The thieving tools...

If there is more than one thief:

The thieves' tools...

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Thanks for answers – user6804 Apr 1 '11 at 19:20
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In America at least, the normal term is burglary tools. Burglary is surreptitiously entering a building for purposes of theft, so burglary tools would include tools for picking locks, breaking doors, etc.

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+1: I usually hear this as burglar's tools though. "Thief's tools" just sounds odd to me. – Robusto Apr 2 '11 at 0:27
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Perhaps:

The thief slipped through the open window, pulled out the tools of her trade from the knapsack, and walked toward the safe.

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She pulled out her lock picks – GEdgar Jul 12 '11 at 17:00

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