snaffle

¹ American  

[snaf-uhl] / ˈsnæf əl /

noun

1. Also called snaffle bit. a bit, usually jointed in the middle and without a curb, with a large ring at each end to which a rein and cheek strap are attached.

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verb (used with object)

snaffled, snaffling

1. to put a snaffle on (a horse).

2. to control with or as with a snaffle.

snaffle ² American  

[snaf-uhl] / ˈsnæf əl /

verb (used with object)

British Informal.

snaffled, snaffling

1. to appropriate for one's own use, especially by devious means; purloin; filch.

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snaffle British  

/ ˈsnæfəl /

noun

1. Also called: snaffle bit. a simple jointed bit for a horse

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verb

1. informal to steal or take for oneself

2. 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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

snaffle snaffled snaffling

Punters buy raffle tickets in the hope that they will be the lucky one to choose the correct key, open the box and snaffle the prize money.

From BBC ● May 10, 2025

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

The snaffle may be employed to correct this low carriage, but this use of it involves more than I can explain to you now.

From Patroclus and Penelope A Chat in the Saddle by Theodore Ayrault Dodge

KL Rahul juggled Pope's edge at first slip before clinging on and first slip Karun Nair snaffled Crawley, who had begun the innings with two crunching drives.

From BBC ● Jul. 3, 2025

There were Scottish kicks charged down and Scottish lineouts snaffled.

From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2023

Porter snaffled his second from Owen Farrell's kick, before a penalty try and Smith topped up England's lead.

From BBC ● Nov. 12, 2022

Chelsea’s midfield looked strong before deadline day – and then the club snaffled Saúl away from Atlético to give themselves an embarrassment of riches.

From The Guardian ● Sep. 10, 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

BST10:26 QPR lead at Hull and it is, of course, Charlie Austin snaffling one up.

From The Guardian ● Sep. 19, 2015

West Ham on the other hand have been super clinical, snaffling their chances and managing to keep things relatively tight.

From The Guardian ● Sep. 19, 2015

Bet you they’re snaffling it at the present moment.

From Jacob's Ladder by E. Phillips (Edward Phillips) Oppenheim

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