Japanese with Manga

Misappropriation with

ネコババ means keeping something one found instead of returning it. It can also mean concealing one’s wrongdoing.

Usage Notes

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.

Further Reading

Examples

Misappropriating the confessional with ネコババ

Learn the meaning and usage of the vocabulary ネコババ in Japanese, with examples from manga.
怪盗セイント・テール » Volume 7 » Page 34

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.”