rob
- 01 B1 Intermediate
to take money or property from a person or place by using force or threats.
to take property from a person or place illegally, typically by using force or the threat of violence. Transitive — requires a direct object representing the victim or location.
Simple“Two men tried to rob the bank in the middle of the afternoon.”
In context“The gang conspired to rob the high-end jewellery store during the city's annual festival, hoping the crowds would mask their escape.”
PitfallThe thief robbed my phone from my bag. The thief stole my phone from my bag.You 'rob' a person or a place (the victim), but you 'steal' an object (the thing taken).
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
to unfairly take away an opportunity, a feeling, or a chance from someone.
to deprive someone of something they deserve or expected to have, often used in a figurative or emotional context.
Simple“The heavy rain robbed us of the chance to see the sunrise.”
In context“The sudden injury robbed the young athlete of her best opportunity to compete in the national championships after years of training.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
to steal something, even without using force.
to commit theft; used broadly in informal contexts to mean stealing any item regardless of the method used.
Simple“Someone robbed my bike while I was inside the shop for five minutes.”
In context“He was shocked to discover that someone had robbed his tools from the back of the van while it was parked in the driveway.”
- 04 C1 Advanced
to take the ball or puck away from an opponent during a game.
to dispossess an opponent of the ball, puck, or other game object through a skilful defensive manoeuvre.
Simple“The defender managed to rob the striker just before he could shoot.”
In context“The point guard expertly robbed the veteran player at mid-court, leading to a fast break that shifted the momentum of the game.”
Synonymsdispossesstackle
rob vs steal — Steal focuses on the object taken; rob focuses on the victim or location targeted.
“Both she and Mercury felt they had been robbed of their childhoods.”