Poach

To illegally hunt or catch wild animals or fish on land or in water that is not yours or that is protected by law; to cook (something, especially an egg) by simmering it gently in liquid such as water or milk; to take or acquire (something) in a sneaky or underhanded way. This can apply to talent, ideas, or even customer bases, often by enticing them away from a competitor. It encompasses a range of activities from outright theft to exploiting a situation.

Poach meaning with examples

• The game warden caught the poachers red-handed, as they were removing deer carcasses from the protected forest, they were subsequently fined and had their equipment seized. This illegal activity decimated the deer population, disrupting the natural balance of the ecosystem.
• She decided to make Eggs Benedict for breakfast. She carefully cracked two eggs into gently simmering water, ensuring the yolks remained intact, for a perfectly poached egg. It was a culinary delight.
• The new tech startup tried to poach top engineers from Google and Facebook by offering lucrative salaries and enticing perks. They were successful in attracting several key employees to their company.
• Instead of developing their own innovative ideas, the company was accused of trying to poach someone else's concepts. After months of research and development, they decided to invest in their own ideas and develop a new line of products.
• The marketing department knew that the advertising company was trying to poach their biggest client. To prevent this they devised a new marketing plan to retain the client's business.