nobble

A verb meaning to disable or tamper with something, especially a racehorse, or to influence or bribe someone dishonestly.

• 🇩🇪Etwas absichtlich sabotieren oder unbrauchbar machen, besonders ein Rennpferd, oder jemanden durch Bestechung oder unfaire Mittel beeinflussen.

1. Swindle or cheat C1 informal british

   To obtain something from someone by using deception or dishonest means.

   • The con artist nobbled the old man out of his life savings.
   • They nobbled the company's funds through a series of fake invoices.
   • He was nobbled by a smooth-talking salesman into buying a worthless product.

   🇩🇪Betrügen

   Synonyme: bilkcheatcondeceivedefrauddiddledupefleecehoaxrip offrookstingswindletrick

2. Steal C1 informal british

   To take something that belongs to someone else, often in a sneaky or dishonest way.

   • Someone nobbled my wallet while I was on the crowded train.
   • The thieves nobbled the valuable painting from the gallery.
   • They nobbled all the cash from the till.

   🇩🇪Stehlen

   Synonyme: filchnickpilferpinchpurloinrobsnatchstealswipethieve

   Antonyme: giverepayrestorereturn

3. Kidnap C1 informal british

   To take someone away illegally and keep them as a prisoner, usually to demand money for their safe return.

   • The gang nobbled the businessman and demanded a huge ransom.
   • The child was nobbled from outside her school.
   • They planned to nobble the heiress for a million pounds.

   🇩🇪Entführen

   Synonyme: abductcapturekidnapseizesnatch

4. Drug a racehorse C2 informal british

   To secretly give a horse a drug to prevent it from winning a race.

   • The trainer was banned for nobbling the favorite horse before the big race.
   • They tried to nobble the champion stallion with a sedative.
   • The horse was nobbled, which caused it to run poorly.

   🇩🇪Ein Rennpferd dopen

   Synonyme: dopedrugfix

• nobbled past participle
• nobbled past simple
• nobbling present participle
• nobbles third person singular