/ snætʃ; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb
1.
[usually + adv. / prep. ] to take sth quickly and often rudely or roughly
SYN grab :
[ vn ]
She managed to snatch the gun from his hand.
Gordon snatched up his jacket and left the room.
[ v ]
Hey, you kids! Don't all snatch!
2.
[ vn ] to take sb/sth away from a person or place, especially by force; to steal sth
SYN steal :
The raiders snatched $100 from the cash register.
The baby was snatched from its parents' car.
3.
[ vn ] to take or get sth quickly, especially because you do not have much time :
I managed to snatch an hour's sleep.
The team snatched a dramatic victory in the last minute of the game.
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PHRASAL VERBS
- snatch at sth
■ noun
1.
a very small part of a conversation or some music that you hear
SYN snippet :
a snatch of music
I only caught snatches of the conversation.
2.
an act of moving your hand very quickly to take or steal sth :
a bag snatch
to make a snatch at sth
3.
( taboo , slang ) an offensive word for a woman's outer sex organs
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IDIOMS
- in snatches
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English sna(c)che (verb) suddenly snap at , (noun) a snare ; perhaps related to snack .