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

After failing to convert a succession of chances he would normally snaffle without a thought in the draw against Chelsea at the weekend, Haaland seemed like a man on a mission from the first whistle.

From BBC ● Feb. 20, 2024

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 bits, also, are generally of steel; but those who cannot procure steel bits have a sort of snaffle, of wood, which must, of course, be frequently renewed.

From Narrative of the surveying voyages of His Majesty's ships Adventure and Beagle, between the years 1826 and 1836 Volume I. - Proceedings of the First Expedition, 1826-1830 by Robert Fitzroy

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

He fell twice to West Indies left arm spinner Akeal Hosein during England's tour of the Caribbean in December and left-arm seamer Arshdeep has snaffled his wicket twice in this series.

From BBC ● Jan. 25, 2025

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

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

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

From The Guardian ● Sep. 19, 2015

And it'll be interesting to hear whether snaffling those last two wickets may have prevented Australia from getting a hefty over-rate fine.

From BBC ● Feb. 25, 2011

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

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

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