Know Your English (April 2001)

Know your English

WHAT IS the meaning of `heist'?

First, let's deal with the pronunciation. The ``ei'' is like the ``y'' in `my', and `by'. `Heist is a word generally used in informal contexts in American English. It can be used as a noun and a verb. When used as a noun, it means robbery or theft. Here are a few examples.
* The heist didn't go according to plan. Several people were killed.
* Jambunathan wanted to pull off one more heist before retiring.
* Did you know that there was a jewellery heist this afternoon?
When you `heist' someone, you rob him of something. The word can also mean ``to steal''. Here are a few examples.
* Ranjit heisted a car and drove it all the way to Shillong.
* The thugs heisted some of the passengers in the first class compartment.
* After they had heisted the passengers they began to kill them.

Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, April 17, 2001

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Definition:	(noun) A punishment or retribution that one deserves; one's just deserts.
Synonyms:	deserts
Usage:	The central character is an evil man who gets his comeuppance in the end.

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