nobble

American  

[nob-uhl] / ˈnɒb əl /

verb (used with object)

British Slang.

nobbled, nobbling

1. to drug or disable (a race horse) to prevent its winning a race.

2. to convince (a person) by fraudulent methods; misrepresent or lie to.

3. to swindle; defraud.

4. to seize (a person); hold for arrest.

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nobble British  

/ ˈnɒbəl /

verb

1. to disable (a racehorse), esp with drugs

2. to win over or outwit (a person) by underhand means

3. to suborn (a person, esp a juror) by threats, bribery, etc

4. to steal; filch

5. to get hold of; grab

6. to kidnap

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Other Word Forms

• nobbler noun

Etymology

Origin of nobble

First recorded in 1840–50; back formation from nobbler, variant of hobbler ( def. ) (dialectal phrase an 'obbler being taken as a nobbler )

Example Sentences

"If a Welsh person advises you to wrap up warm because it's nobbling, then they are letting you know that it's very cold outside," said the OED.

From BBC

If this player turns up and is not nobbled by either Manchester United in the FA Cup final or Inter Milan in the Champions League final I am convinced City will achieve the Treble.

From BBC

It seems @COP26 Presidency has been nobbled behind closed doors by the US!

From The Guardian

A couple of hours before, Asher-Smith revealed a hamstring problem had nobbled her chances.

From BBC

"We found ourselves, strangely for a comedy show, at the mercy of developments in Westminster and Brussels," says Hodgson, who admits feeling "slightly nobbled" by the latest postponement.

From BBC