nab1
/nab
/verb (nabs, nabbing, nabbed) [with object] informal
1Catch (someone) doing something wrong: the Feds nabbed a suspected terrorist...
- Why announce his arrest to the world before actually nabbing him?
- That is why when Delhi Police nabbed him on June 9 on charges of violating the Official Secrets Act, fellow journalists were amazed.
- He was nabbed by members of the Garda National Drugs Unit in December 1998 when he was caught sneaking into the country and jailed for a year.
1.1Take, grab, or steal (something): Dan nabbed the seat next to mine...
- He reached into the trunk of the taxi and grabbed his suitcase, nabbing the bottle.
- Tucker lifted his fork and nabbed a piece from Merissa.
- Nonetheless, he was openly delighted at nabbing the final seat in the ward.
Origin
Late 17th century (also as napp; compare with kidnap): of unknown origin.
Rhymes
NAB2
abbreviation
1National Association of Broadcasters.
2New American Bible.