Crossword Genius

Shy about pants pinching (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

snaffling

'pinching' is the definition.
(snaffle means to steal or pinch)

'shy about pants' is the wordplay.
'shy' becomes 'sling' (I've seen this before).
'about' indicates putting letters inside.
'pants' becomes 'naff' (I've seen this before).
'sling' placed around 'naff' is 'SNAFFLING'.

(Another definition for snaffling that I've seen is " Taking".)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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