snaffle
1 Americannoun
verb (used with object)
-
to put a snaffle on (a horse).
-
to control with or as with a snaffle.
verb (used with object)
noun
verb
-
informal to steal or take for oneself
-
to equip or control with a snaffle
Etymology
Origin of snaffle1
1525–35; origin uncertain; compare Old Frisian snavel mouth, Dutch snavel, German Schnabel beak, bill
Origin of snaffle2
First recorded in 1715–25; origin uncertain
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
After failing to convert a succession of chances he would normally snaffle without a thought in the draw against Chelsea at the weekend, Haaland seemed like a man on a mission from the first whistle.
From BBC ● Feb. 20, 2024
Acorns are only on the ground for a short period, and the bears has to wander around to snaffle them all up.
From Slate ● Dec. 6, 2022
And at the end of an evening, it’s not uncommon for deer to emerge from the trees and snaffle up the leftover popcorn.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 27, 2022
Years later, I would visit the Valdes Peninsula in Argentina, where these scenes of orcas beaching themselves to snaffle sea lion pups off the shingle were filmed.
From Washington Post ● Mar. 3, 2022
This bit, which can always be procured at Messrs. Davis's, saddler, 14, Strand, is fitted in the horse's mouth above the mouthpiece of a snaffle or Pelham bridle.
From The Barb and the Bridle A Handbook of Equitation for Ladies, and Manual of Instruction in the Science of Riding, from the Preparatory Suppling Exercises by Moustache, Vielle
There were Scottish kicks charged down and Scottish lineouts snaffled.
From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2023
Stokes arrived at the crease when Root got a ball from Cummins that bounced, took the edge and was snaffled by Smith at second slip.
From BBC ● Jul. 7, 2023
Chelsea were sloppy in possession at the back when Berger's heavy touch was almost snaffled by White, but City failed to capitalise.
From BBC ● Mar. 5, 2022
Meanwhile on 12, a precious hole is snaffled back by Europe, Fitzpatrick knocking his tee shot to five feet, Schauffele missing the green.
From The Guardian ● Sep. 25, 2021
Julia'd snaffled all the Jaffa Cakes 'cause she's at home all day revising for her A levels.
From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell
Yet Denver's defense came up big when it mattered, Ja'Quan McMillian snaffling an interception to give the Broncos the chance to grab a winning score.
From Barron's ● Jan. 18, 2026
But then the latter's skillful knack of snaffling wickets came to the fore as he bagged two of Australia's dogged top order.
From BBC ● Dec. 26, 2025
Peter Vincenti's free-kick left much to be desired and Young was soon snaffling a bullet header from Jutkiewicz at the other end.
From The Guardian ● Jan. 26, 2013
Even beyond the opportunistic passport snaffling that's gone on for decades – remember Zola Budd? – many gold medals are won thanks to training camps far from the territory whose national anthem is played.
From The Guardian ● Aug. 5, 2012
London was ignorant, London was stupid, London was always doing him and the other buccaneers down, was always snaffling something which he ought to have.
From The Summons by Mason, A. E. W. (Alfred Edward Woodley)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
