a steal
idiom

- a bargain

- a product that has a very low price, or a price that is much lower than the original cost

McGraw-Hill Dictionary / Cambridge Dictionary

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PHRASE ORIGIN

While the exact origin is uncertain, the general idea is that a "steal" of a deal meant you paid so little it was like you stole or swindled the item for much less than its normal value.

The phrase became popular in the U.S. in the early 20th century and is still commonly used today.

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SPEAKING OF STEALING
Here are 6 common variations:

- to PURLOIN is to make off with something, often in a breach of trust (He purloined the key to his cousin's safe-deposit box).

- to FILCH suggests that what is stolen is of little value (They filched towels from the hotel).

- to PILFER suggests continuous theft, usually of small quantities (They pilfered fruit from the farmer).

- to SWIPE denotes quick, furtive snatching or seizing (He swiped a magazine from the rack).

- to LIFT is to take something secretly and keep it for oneself (Pickpockets will often lift wallets from subway passengers).

- to PINCH can apply loosely to any kind of stealing, but literally it means taking something by picking it up between the thumb and the fingers (He pinched a dollar from the cash register).

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SYNONYMS

a bargain, a giveaway, a great buy (deal), a must buy, a snip, A STEAL, amazing/astounding/attractive deal (price), can't miss deal, crackerjack, crazy low price, dirt cheap, doorbuster deal (sale), dream price, excellent bargain (value), fire-sale/giveaway price, for a song, great buy (deal, value), incredible bargain (deal), irresistible/jaw-dropping price, killer deal, once in a lifetime deal, pocketbook pleaser, price slash, something for nothing, super/superb bargain (deal, price, value), sweet deal (price), unbelievable/unbeatable deal (bargain, price), wallet friendly, wallet pleaser

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SMUGGLE OWAD into a conversation, by telling this story:

“In 2010 a California man made what could be called A STEAL of the century — he paid $45 for 64 glass-plate negatives by Ansel Adams — their estimated value? Over $200 million!”

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