nab /næb/ BrE AmE verb ( past tense and past participle nabbed , present participle nabbing ) [transitive] informal
[ Date: 1600-1700 ; Origin: Perhaps from nap 'to seize' (17-19 centuries) , from a Scandinavian language ]
1 . to catch or ↑ arrest someone who is doing something wrong:
The police nabbed him for speeding.
2 . to get something or someone quickly, especially before anyone else can get them:
See if you can nab a seat.