rob
/rɒb/ (bre, ipa) · /rɑːb/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈräb/ (ame, mw)
rob — verb
- robpresent simple I / you / we / they
- robshe / she / it
- robbedpast simple
- robbing-ing form
1. To steal cash or belongings from a victim or a place by threatening harm or by e
To steal cash or belongings from a victim or a place by threatening harm or by entering illegally.
Two men robbed the gas station on Seventh Avenue and fled in a red car.
active voice: rob + specific place
The jewelry store was robbed by a thief who threatened the security guard.
passive: be robbed by + agent
Vivek admitted he helped rob the warehouse but claimed he only drove the van.
Burglars robbed Amelia's apartment while the family celebrated her birthday.
The tourists were robbed of their passports and cameras near the hotel entrance.
- steal from
broader; does not imply force or breaking in
- burgle
specific to entering a building; less violent
- loot
widespread taking during chaos or disaster
文法句型
rob + person/place
rob + person + of + stolen item
用法筆記
Takes a person, place, or institution as its direct object — never the item taken. To name what was stolen, use the pattern 'rob + person/place + of + thing' (e.g., 'robbed her of her purse'). Contrast with 'steal', which takes the stolen item as its object.
常見錯誤
2. To unfairly or painfully prevent someone from having something they deserve, exp
To unfairly or painfully prevent someone from having something they deserve, expect, or badly want — such as a fair result, an opportunity, or peace.
Kemi felt the accident robbed her of the chance to compete in the Olympics.
active: rob + person + of + abstract chance
Fans were robbed of a fair match when the referee made several bad calls.
passive: be robbed of + abstract noun phrase (fair match)
Chiara was robbed of a peaceful night by the loud construction next door.
The team was robbed of victory by a last-minute decision from the officials.
Noa thought the new rules had robbed students of the right to speak freely.
- deprive of
more formal and neutral; less emotional
- deny
broader; can mean refusing to give rather than taking
- strip of
suggests complete removal with a sense of loss
文法句型
be robbed of + abstract noun
rob + person + of + abstract thing
用法筆記
Almost always used in the passive voice ('be robbed of'). The subject is a person or group, and the thing taken away must be non-physical — an opportunity, a right, peace, a fair outcome.
常見錯誤
3. To charge someone far too much money for a product or service, often in a dishon
To charge someone far too much money for a product or service, often in a dishonest or unfair way.
Rafael said the taxi driver completely robbed him on the way to the airport.
informal: rob + person for a service
That shop near the square will rob you if you do not check the prices.
Diya felt she got robbed when the mechanic charged five hundred dollars.
Brandon knew the street vendor was trying to rob him with those high prices.
- overcharge
more neutral and slightly formal; the standard term
- rip off
same level of informality; very common in conversation
- fleece
less common; suggests deliberate trickery
- give a deal
to offer a fair or generous price
文法句型
rob + person
get robbed (passive, informal)
用法筆記
An informal usage common in spoken English. The object is always the person being overcharged, not the money. 'Get robbed' is a fixed expression for feeling cheated by a bad price.