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:
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
Galloping down the side of a field covered with mole-hills, on a weak-necked horse, with a snaffle bridle, one foot out of your stirrup, and a bit of mud in your eye!
From Mr. Punch in the Hunting Field by Various
It boasts two Premier League big beasts, a teeming music scene, and has even snaffled the Brit awards.
From BBC ● Jan. 14, 2026
Even if you've never snaffled a Snorlax, poached a Pikachu or collared a Charizard in Pokémon Go there's a pretty good chance you've used one of his other inventions, Google Maps.
From BBC ● Oct. 28, 2023
There were Scottish kicks charged down and Scottish lineouts snaffled.
From BBC ● Sep. 10, 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
BST10:26 QPR lead at Hull and it is, of course, Charlie Austin snaffling one up.
From The Guardian ● Sep. 19, 2015
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
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.
