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:
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
The working assumption of the various campaigns is Mr Sunak is likely to snaffle one of the two golden tickets to the final run off decided by Conservative Party members.
From BBC ● Jul. 14, 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
The well-trained horse, without the slightest effort, arches his neck to the curb or snaffle alike, and keeps it so.
From Patroclus and Penelope A Chat in the Saddle by Theodore Ayrault Dodge
There were Scottish kicks charged down and Scottish lineouts snaffled.
From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2023
Lewis told presenter Daz Hale he "amazingly and luckily snaffled up" his first two professional jobs at the Birmingham Rep straight out of drama school.
From BBC ● Aug. 31, 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
QPR lead at Hull and it is, of course, Charlie Austin snaffling one up.
From The Guardian ● Sep. 19, 2015
"It's a bit cheap to kid on a player who was so anxious to do well," responded Mr Roy today, snaffling the bait, in an interview with the Talksport Wireless Company.
From The Guardian ● Jun. 27, 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 A. E. W. (Alfred Edward Woodley) Mason
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.
