noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', transitive verb
eating with one's fingers; snitching food; secret eating
Refers to picking at food with fingers before a meal, or sneaking bites; often implies doing so without permission or in secret. Can be used as a noun or a suru-verb.
料理ができる前につまみ食いしてはいけません。
Don't pick at the food before it's ready.
彼は冷蔵庫からチーズを
He snitched some cheese from the fridge.
noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', transitive verb
embezzlement; misappropriation; skimming off the top
Figurative extension: secretly taking a portion of money or profits, like skimming off the top. Often used in business or organizational contexts.
経理担当者が売上金をつまみ食いしていたことが発覚した。
It was discovered that the accountant had been skimming from the sales revenue.
noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', transitive verb
flirting; playing the field; sampling
Slangy figurative use: casually dating or flirting with multiple people, as if 'sampling' them. Often used in a light or critical tone.
彼はいつも複数の女性とつまみ食いしている。
He's always playing the field with multiple women.