Misappropriation with ネコババ

ネコババ means to sneak in something you picked up and keep it for yourself, or to hide something bad you have done.

Usage

It is often used when one finds a dropped item and keeps it for themselves, rather than turning it in to the police or a lost-and-found center on the premises.

ネコババ is a noun. When used as a verb, it becomes ネコババする.

Examples

Misappropriating the confessional with ネコババ

After Meimi makes her first appearance as a magical thief, her nun-in-training classmate Seira suggests the name Saint Tail. She adds that they can use the sealed confessional as a meeting room.

芽美(めいみ):

「ちょっと　それってざんげ室(しつ)ネコババするんじゃ……！！」

“Hold up, isn't that misappropriating the confessional?”

聖良(せいら):

「これも　すべて主(しゅ)の　おみちびきですわ」

“This, too, is all part of the Lord's plan.”

ネコババ is used here as a verb.