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
Direct flexions of the head or placing it in a perpendicular position with the snaffle, and with the curb-reins.
From New Method of Horsemanship Including the Breaking and Training of Horses, with Instructions for Obtaining a Good Seat. by Baucher, F.
Luke Cowan-Dickie was held up over the line shortly after the restart before an aimless kick from Racing's Antoine Gibert was brilliantly snaffled by Roebuck.
From BBC ● Dec. 13, 2024
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
Maddison’s low cross, meant for Vardy, is snaffled by Alisson.
From The Guardian ● Feb. 13, 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
Bet you they’re snaffling it at the present moment.
From Jacob's Ladder by Oppenheim, E. Phillips (Edward Phillips)
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.
