snatch

snatch¹ [snætʃ] v [T]

[Date: 1100-1200; Origin: Perhaps from Middle Dutch snacken; SNACK²]

1.) to take something away from someone with a quick, often violent, movement

= ↑grab

▪ The thief snatched her purse and ran.

snatch sth away/back from sb

▪ Keith snatches toys away from the other children.

2.) to take someone away from a person or place, especially by force

▪ Vargas was snatched from his home by two armed men.

3.) to quickly get something, especially sleep or rest, because you do not have very much time

= ↑grab

▪ I managed to snatch an hour's sleep on the train.

snatch at [snatch at sth] phr v

to quickly put out your hand to try to take or hold something

▪ Jessie snatched at the bag but I pulled it away.

snatch ²

snatch² n

1.) a snatch of conversation/music/song etc

a short part of a conversation, song etc that you hear

▪ I could hear snatches of the conversation from across the room.

2.) in snatches

for short periods

▪ I only slept in snatches during the night.

3.) when someone quickly takes or steals something

▪ reports of a bag snatch

4.) taboo informal a very offensive word for a woman's sex organ. Do not use this word.