nobble

verb

nob·ble | \ ˈnä-bəl

nobbled; nobbling\ ˈnä-b(ə-)liŋ

Definition of nobble

1 British : to incapacitate (a racehorse) especially by drugging

2 slang, British

a : to win over to one's side

b : steal

c : swindle, cheat

d : to get hold of : catch

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We found out later that the horse had been nobbled, which explained its poor performance. She was trying to nobble the jury.

Recent Examples on the Web

Lacking a supermajority to amend the constitution, PiS did the next best thing and nobbled the constitutional tribunal. — The Economist, "Poland’s ruling Law and Justice party is doing lasting damage," 21 Apr. 2018 In Hungary, having nobbled the courts, media and public prosecutor, Viktor Orban is squeezing civil society and using state (and EU) funds to nurture oligarchs. — The Economist, "The EU should get tough on its illiberal democracies," 19 Apr. 2018

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More Definitions for nobble

nobble

verb

British, informal

: to give a drug to (a horse) to keep it from winning a race

: to cause or force (someone) to do something that you want by offering money, making threats, etc.

: to succeed in getting or catching (something or someone)