Basic Details
Word: Embezzled
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: To secretly take money or property from someone who trusts you.
Synonyms: Misappropriated, Misused, Pilfered
Antonyms: Returned, Restored, Given
Idioms and Phrases
- Stealing from Peter to pay Paul: Taking money from one person to help another instead of solving the problem. Example: "By embezzling funds, he was just stealing from Peter to pay Paul."
- Caught red-handed: To be caught in the act of doing something wrong. Example: "The accountant was caught red-handed embezzling money from the company's accounts."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The manager was accused of embezzling thousands of pounds from the charity.
Example 2: She was arrested for embezzling funds while managing the school budget.
Example 3: His embezzled money was discovered during an investigation into the company's finances.
Fun Fact
The word "embezzle" comes from the Old French term "embesiller," which means to take something that does not belong to you. This term has been used for centuries to describe the act of stealing from ones employer or someone who trusts you.
Famous Quote
"The greatest deception men suffer is from their own opinions." Leonardo da Vinci
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "embezzled" mean?
a) To save money
b) To take money secretly
c) To give money
d) To borrow money
Answer: b) To take money secretly
2. Which of these is a synonym of "embezzled"?
a) Returned
b) Misappropriated
c) Gave
d) Reimbursed
Answer: b) Misappropriated
3. Which of the following is an antonym of "embezzled"?
a) Misused
b) Returned
c) Taken
d) Stolen
Answer: b) Returned
4. Which sentence uses "embezzled" correctly?
a) She was embezzled by her friend.
b) He embezzled money from the company.
c) The cat embezzled its food.
d) They embezzled a new game.
Answer: b) He embezzled money from the company.
5. What does "caught red-handed" mean?
a) To be praised for doing good
b) To be caught doing something wrong
c) To win a prize
d) To search for someone
Answer: b) To be caught doing something wrong
