Meaning of the word "a thief passes for a gentleman when stealing has made him rich" in English
What does "a thief passes for a gentleman when stealing has made him rich" mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.
a thief passes for a gentleman when stealing has made him rich
US /ə θif ˈpæsəz fɔr ə ˈdʒɛntəlmən wɛn ˈstilɪŋ hæz meɪd hɪm rɪtʃ/
UK /ə θiːf ˈpɑːsɪz fɔːr ə ˈdʒɛntlmən wɛn ˈstiːlɪŋ hæz meɪd hɪm rɪtʃ/
Idiom
a proverb suggesting that wealth can hide a person's dishonest origins or character, and that society often respects rich people regardless of how they acquired their money
Example:
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He built his empire on fraud, but now that he's a billionaire, everyone treats him with respect; truly, a thief passes for a gentleman when stealing has made him rich.
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The public quickly forgot his criminal past once he started donating millions to charity, proving that a thief passes for a gentleman when stealing has made him rich.