nobble

[nob-uhl]

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.

nobble

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• nobbler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of nobble¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of nobble¹

C19: back formation from nobbler, from false division of an hobbler (one who hobbles horses) 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.

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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.

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

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

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"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.

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