v. robbed, rob·bing, robs v.tr. 1. a. Law To take property from (a person) illegally by using or threatening to use violence or force; commit robbery upon. b. To steal something from (a place, vehicle, or institution, for example): Bandits robbed the train. c. To steal (money or valuables): robbed money out of the till. 2. a. To deprive unjustly of something belonging to, desired by, or legally due (someone): robbed her of her professional standing. b. To deprive of something injuriously: a parasite that robs a tree of its sap. v.intr. Idioms: To engage in or commit robbery. rob Peter to pay Paul To incur a debt in order to pay off another debt. rob (someone) blind To rob in an unusually deceitful or thorough way: robbed the old couple blind while employed as a companion. rob the cradle Informal To have a romantic or sexual relationship with someone significantly younger than oneself. [Middle English robben, from Old French rober, of Germanic origin; see reup- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] robber n. |
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