What a thief may do is a hit (5)

I believe the answer is:

swipe

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'a hit' is the definition.
(I know that swipe is a more specific form of hit)

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for swipe that I've seen before include "Put (card) through reader; take without asking" , "Blow - nick" , "Hit with swinging blow, or slangily steal" , "Put (card) through reader; hit" , "Steal; pass a card through a reader" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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