snaffle
/'snæfl/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- A simple jointed bit for a horse; without a curb: A snaffle is a type of bit used in a horse's bridle. It consists of a jointed mouthpiece and works with direct pressure, without the leverage action of a curb bit.
Verb:
- To fit or restrain with a snaffle: To put a snaffle bit on a horse or to control it using such a bit.
- To get hold of or seize quickly and easily (informal): To take something, often in a quick, clever, or slightly dishonest way.
Usage Examples
Noun:
- The trainer recommended a gentle snaffle for the young horse.
- She adjusted the snaffle before the riding lesson.
Verb (Equestrian meaning):
- You need to snaffle the horse properly before leading it out.
- Verb (Informal meaning):
- He managed to snaffle the last ticket before the box office closed.
- Someone snaffled my sandwich from the office fridge.
Advanced Usage
- "To snaffle up": A phrasal verb emphasizing the act of taking something quickly or eagerly, often before others can.
- Shoppers snaffled up all the bargains during the sale.
Variants and Related Words
- Snaffle bit (n): The full term for the equestrian equipment.
- A loose-ring snaffle bit is very common.
Synonyms
- Noun (Bit): bridle bit, mouthpiece.
- Verb (Take): grab, snatch, pilfer, appropriate, acquire.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Snaffle up: To take or acquire something quickly.
- The children snaffled up all the cookies as soon as they were offered.
Related Idioms
- None directly associated with the core word. (Note: The phrase "to ride someone on the snaffle" from other sources is an equestrian idiom meaning to handle someone gently or with a light touch, but it is not a common modern idiom in general English.)
Noun
- a simple jointed bit for a horse; without a curb
Verb
- fit or restrain with a snaffle
- snaffle a horse
- get hold of or seize quickly and easily
- I snapped up all the good buys during the garage sale