car clout

English

Noun

car clout (plural car clouts)

1. (US, colloquial) The crime of breaking into an automobile.
   • 2006, Michael A. Graham, The Snow Angel:

     Yesterday's pleasant weather should have brought an increase in certain felonies — purse snatches, street holdups, car clouts, convenience-store stickups, ATM rips. There was no logical reason why crime should be down […]

   • 2010, Richard E. Brown, Ranger Up!:

     From there they went over the Little River Ranger Station about a mile away to complete a car clout report. The ranger was taking information on the car clout from Pam when I walked into the ranger station.

Related terms

• car clouting