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

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

Before raising the right knee over the pommel, the lady should lift the snaffle reins with her right hand high enough to admit of her moving the leg without interfering with them.

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

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

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’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

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

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)