Definition

1. Verb:
   • To seize suddenly or unexpectedly: To grab or take hold of someone or something quickly, often by surprise.
   • To take into custody; to arrest: To capture someone, especially a suspected criminal, and take them to a police station.
   • (In baseball) To tag a base runner out: To touch a runner with the ball to record an out.

Examples of Usage

• Verb:
  • The security guard nabbed the shoplifter as he tried to leave the store.
  • I finally nabbed the last ticket to the concert before they sold out.
  • The catcher nabbed the runner trying to steal second base.

Advanced Usage

• "to nab a seat/spot": To successfully get a desirable seat or position, often quickly or before others.
  • We arrived early to nab a good spot near the stage.
• "to nab a bargain/deal": To obtain something at a very good price or on favorable terms.
  • She nabbed a fantastic deal on a flight to Paris.

Variants and Related Words

• Nabber (noun): (Informal) A person who seizes or arrests someone.
  • The thief was caught by a quick-thinking nabber.

Synonyms

• Apprehend: To arrest someone.
• Seize: To take hold of suddenly and forcibly.
• Snatch: To take something quickly, often with a sudden movement.
• Colloquial/Catch: To capture or seize, especially after pursuit.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(This word does not commonly form standard phrasal verbs. Its meaning is typically contained in the single verb form.)

Related Idioms

• "Nab red-handed": To catch someone in the act of doing something wrong. (This is a variation of the common idiom "catch red-handed").
  • The store owner nabbed the teenager red-handed, trying to steal a phone charger.

Verb

1. seize suddenly
2. take into custody
   • the police nabbed the suspected criminals
3. tag the base runner to get him out