snatch

[[t]snæ̱tʃ[/t]]

snatches, snatching, snatched

1) VERB If you snatch something or snatch at something, you take it or pull it away quickly.

[V n prep] Mick snatched the cards from Archie's hand...

[V n with adv] He snatched up the telephone...

[V at n] The thin wind snatched at her skirt.

2) VERB: usu passive If something is snatched from you, it is stolen, usually using force. If a person is snatched, they are taken away by force.

[be V-ed] If your bag is snatched, let it go...

[be V-ed] Mr Hillman was snatched by kidnappers last Thursday.

Derived words:

snatcher plural N-COUNT n N

Wealthy tourists are tempting targets for bag snatchers.

3) VERB If you snatch an opportunity, you take it quickly. If you snatch something to eat or a rest, you have it quickly in between doing other things.

[V n] I snatched a glance at the mirror...

[V n] You can even snatch a few hours off...

[V n] He was going out for a run, then snatching a piece of toast and a cup of coffee.

4) VERB If you snatch victory in a competition, you defeat your opponent by a small amount or just before the end of the contest.

[V n] The American came from behind to snatch victory by a mere eight seconds...

[V n] Chesterfield snatched a third goal.

5) N-COUNT: usu N of n A snatch of a conversation or a song is a very small piece of it.

I heard snatches of the conversation.

6) PHRASE: V inflects If someone snatches victory from the jaws of defeat, they win when it seems that they are certain to lose. If someone snatches defeat from the jaws of victory, they lose when it seems that they are certain to win. [JOURNALISM]