ENGLISH
REFERENCE

dob in

phr. v..
C1 Advanced Oxford

phr. v.. to tell someone in authority that another person has done something wrong. You usually use this when someone reports a friend or colleague to get them in trouble.

phr. v.. to inform against or report someone to an authority figure; primarily Australian and British informal register. It often implies a betrayal of social or peer-group loyalty.


SIMPLE

He dobbed me in to the teacher for cheating.

CONTEXTUAL

I can't believe you dobbed me in to the boss for being ten minutes late this morning.

COMPLEX

The investigation stalled because none of the witnesses were willing to dob in their neighbors, fearing social isolation or direct retaliation from the local gang.

Particles
in
Separability
optional
Pattern
dob + (object) + in
Usage

highly informal and often carries a negative connotation of being a 'snitch' or 'tattletale'.

Teaching tip

this is a culturally specific term common in Australia and the UK; contrast it with the more neutral 'report' or the American 'snitch on'.

Pitfall

He dobbed in to the police.He dobbed them in to the police.this phrasal verb usually requires a direct object (the person being reported) between the verb and the particle or immediately after.

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