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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

snaffle snaffled snaffling

Andrew Strauss' gravity-defying snaffle of Adam Gilchrist in 2005?

From BBC ● Dec. 5, 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

A leading rein should then be attached to the ring of the snaffle, and the horse led quietly up to the fence, and halted.

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

Haseeb Hameed's thin snick, Jack Leach bowled shouldering arms, Jonny Bairstow pinned lbw, Joe Root's edged drive, Mark Wood taken in the follow-through and Ollie Robinson snaffled at third slip.

From BBC ● Nov. 19, 2025

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

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

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

"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

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

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