At the A1 level, 'rob' is a simple word used to describe a bad person taking something from someone else. You might learn it in stories about 'bad men' or 'thieves'. The most important thing to know is that 'rob' is about a person or a place. For example, 'The man robbed the bank.' You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet. Just remember that robbing is a crime and it is done to people or buildings. You can think of it as a stronger version of 'take'. If someone takes your toy without asking, they are being mean. If a thief takes money from a bank with a gun, they rob the bank. It is a very serious word. You will see it in simple news stories or cartoons. Always remember: you rob a person, you don't rob a toy. You steal a toy.
At the A2 level, you start to see 'rob' used in more sentences. You should know the past tense is 'robbed'. You might hear it in basic conversations about safety or news. 'A thief robbed the shop yesterday.' You are beginning to understand the difference between 'rob' and 'steal'. Remember: 'rob' + person/place. 'Steal' + thing. For example, 'He robbed the woman' (Correct) and 'He stole her bag' (Correct). You might also hear the word 'robber', which is the person who robs. 'The robber ran away.' You can use 'rob' to talk about things that feel unfair. If you lose a game because of a mistake, you might say 'It's not fair, they robbed us!' although this is a bit more advanced. Focus on the basic meaning of taking money by force from a place or person.
At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'rob' in various contexts, including the passive voice. 'The bank was robbed last week' is a very common structure. You should also learn the important pattern: 'rob someone of something'. For example, 'The thief robbed him of his watch.' This is more precise than just saying 'He robbed him.' You will encounter 'rob' in more detailed news reports and stories. You should also understand the metaphorical use: 'The injury robbed her of the chance to play in the match.' This means the injury took away her opportunity. You are now expected to distinguish 'rob' from 'steal' and 'burgle' consistently. A robbery involves a person being threatened, while a burglary is a break-in to a building. Knowing these differences shows you are reaching an intermediate level of English.
At the B2 level, you can use 'rob' with more nuance and in more formal settings. You understand that 'rob' implies a violation of rights or a forceful deprivation. You might use it in academic or professional discussions about crime or social issues. For example, 'Systemic poverty robs many individuals of their potential.' Here, 'rob' is used metaphorically to describe a social injustice. You are also familiar with idioms like 'to rob Peter to pay Paul' (taking from one person to give to another, which doesn't solve the overall problem) or 'to rob someone blind' (to steal everything they have). You can discuss the legal implications of robbery versus other crimes. Your use of the 'rob someone of something' structure should be natural and error-free. You also recognize the emotional weight the word carries in literature and journalism.
At the C1 level, you use 'rob' with a high degree of precision and rhetorical flair. You are aware of its historical roots and how it can be used to create powerful imagery. In your writing, you might use 'rob' to personify abstract concepts: 'The relentless march of time robs us all of our youth.' You understand the subtle differences between 'rob', 'mug', 'heist', and 'pillage', and you choose the most appropriate term for the context. You can analyze how the word 'rob' is used in political discourse to frame certain actions as criminal or unjust. You are also comfortable with the word's use in various registers, from the informal 'I was robbed!' (meaning overcharged) to the highly formal legal definitions found in court documents. Your mastery of the word includes its collocations and its role in complex sentence structures.
At the C2 level, your understanding of 'rob' is near-native. You appreciate the word's versatility and its ability to convey deep-seated feelings of loss and injustice. You can use it in sophisticated literary analysis or high-level legal discussions. You might explore the etymological connection between 'rob' and 'robe' to discuss how language evolves. You are adept at using 'rob' in complex metaphorical ways, perhaps in poetry or philosophical writing, to describe the human condition or the nature of existence. You understand the cultural connotations of 'robbery' in different English-speaking societies and how it features in national mythologies (like the tales of Robin Hood). Your usage is characterized by total accuracy in grammar, prepositional use, and register, allowing you to use the word to its full expressive potential.

rob في 30 ثانية

  • Rob means taking money or property from a person or place using force or threats. It is a serious crime that focuses on the victim of the act.
  • The key grammatical rule is that you rob a person or a place, but you steal an object. You would say 'rob the bank' but 'steal the money'.
  • It can be used metaphorically to mean being deprived of something valuable, like an opportunity, a right, or a feeling, often in an unfair way.
  • Common structures include 'rob someone' and 'rob someone of something'. The past tense is 'robbed' and the person who does it is a 'robber'.

The verb rob is a fundamental term in the English language, specifically categorized under the theme of crime and law. At its core, to rob means to take property or money from a person or a location (like a bank, a shop, or a house) using illegal means, which almost always involves force, threats, or intimidation. Unlike simple theft, which might happen without the victim even noticing, a robbery is often a confrontational and traumatic event. The primary distinction that learners must grasp is that we rob people or places, but we steal things. If a thief takes your wallet, they have stolen your wallet, but they have robbed you.

The Victim Focus
The grammatical object of the verb 'rob' is the entity that has been deprived of something. For example, 'The gang robbed the local bank.' Here, the bank is the victim. You would never say 'The gang robbed the money,' as the money is the object taken, not the victim of the act.

The masked men managed to rob the high-security vault in under three minutes.

In a broader, more metaphorical sense, 'rob' can be used to describe being deprived of something non-physical, such as an opportunity, a right, or a feeling. If a rainy day ruins your long-planned picnic, you might say the weather 'robbed' you of a pleasant afternoon. This usage elevates the word from a simple legal term to a powerful rhetorical tool used to express a sense of unfair loss or deprivation. It implies that something was taken that rightfully belonged to the person, often leaving them feeling cheated or diminished.

Force and Intimidation
In legal contexts, robbery is distinguished from larceny or burglary by the presence of a person who is threatened. If someone breaks into an empty house, they burgle it. If they break in while you are home and demand your jewelry at gunpoint, they rob you.

He felt that the referee's poor decision had robbed the team of a well-deserved victory.

Historical Context
The word 'rob' has roots in Germanic languages, related to the word 'robe'. Historically, taking someone's clothes was a common form of theft, leading to the development of the verb we use today to describe taking property by force.

It is a crime to rob anyone, regardless of how much or how little they possess.

The sudden illness robbed her of the chance to perform in the final concert.

To rob Peter to pay Paul is a common idiom meaning to solve one problem by creating another.

Using 'rob' correctly requires a clear understanding of its transitive nature and its specific prepositional patterns. The most common structure is [Subject] + rob + [Person/Place]. For example, 'The bandits robbed the travelers.' If you want to mention the specific items taken, you must use the preposition of: [Subject] + rob + [Victim] + of + [Object]. This is a crucial distinction from the verb 'steal', which takes the object directly.

The 'Of' Pattern
When we specify what was taken, we say: 'They robbed him of his dignity' or 'The thief robbed the store of its cash.' Notice that the person or place comes first, followed by 'of', and then the thing taken. This pattern is very common in formal and literary English.

The insurance company refused to pay because the owner had staged the attempt to rob his own warehouse.

The passive voice is frequently used with 'rob', especially in news reporting where the perpetrator might be unknown. 'The bank was robbed at noon' focuses on the event and the victim. In these cases, the focus is on the impact on the community or the individual. We also see 'rob' used in the past participle form as an adjective: 'The robbed man was too shaken to speak to the police.'

Abstract Usage
In abstract contexts, 'rob' often implies a sense of injustice. 'Age has robbed him of his memory' suggests that time has cruelly taken something precious. This personification of abstract concepts (like Age, Time, or Fate) as a 'robber' is a common literary device.

A lack of funding robs many children of a quality education.

Phrasal Variations
While 'rob' doesn't have many phrasal verb forms, it is often paired with 'blind'. To 'rob someone blind' means to steal everything they have or to cheat them out of a large amount of money through deception.

The corrupt accountant had been robbing the company blind for years before he was caught.

They were planning to rob the museum under the cover of darkness.

Don't let your fears rob you of your future happiness.

The word 'rob' is ubiquitous in media, literature, and daily conversation, particularly when discussing safety, justice, and loss. In news broadcasts, you will hear it almost daily: 'A local convenience store was robbed last night by two armed individuals.' The term provides an immediate sense of the severity of the crime, distinguishing it from petty theft or shoplifting. In the world of cinema, the 'heist movie' is a popular genre where the central plot revolves around an elaborate plan to rob a casino, a bank, or a high-security vault.

In the News
Journalists use 'rob' to describe crimes involving confrontation. You'll see headlines like 'Elderly woman robbed in broad daylight' or 'Police seek suspects who robbed downtown jewelry store.' It highlights the vulnerability of the victim.

The evening news reported that three men attempted to rob a delivery truck earlier today.

In sports commentary, 'robbed' is a very common hyperbolic term. If a goalkeeper makes an incredible save, the commentator might scream, 'He's robbed him of a certain goal!' Similarly, if a team loses due to a controversial refereeing decision, fans will complain that they were 'robbed' of the win. This usage reflects the emotional weight of the word—it conveys a sense of being unfairly deprived of what was rightfully yours.

Legal and Police Drama
In shows like 'Law & Order' or 'CSI', characters often discuss the 'robbery' as a specific legal charge. Detectives might ask, 'Was the victim robbed at gunpoint?' or 'Did the suspect rob any other stores in this precinct?'

In the movie, the protagonist decides to rob the very system that failed him.

Everyday Frustration
People use 'robbed' colloquially to describe being overcharged. 'I paid $20 for this burger; I feel like I've been robbed!' It’s a way of expressing that the value received does not match the price paid.

The fans felt robbed when the concert was canceled after only two songs.

The pirate captain was known to rob any merchant ship that crossed his path.

Social media influencers often complain that the algorithm robs them of their reach.

The most frequent error learners make is confusing rob with steal. This is a classic 'false friend' situation in many languages where one word covers both actions. In English, the distinction is strictly grammatical. You rob a person or a place (the victim), but you steal an object (the loot). If you say 'He robbed my car,' a native speaker will imagine someone pointing a gun at your car and demanding its wallet. The correct sentence is 'He stole my car' or 'He robbed me of my car.'

Rob vs. Steal
Think of 'rob' as being about the victim and 'steal' as being about the item.
Correct: They robbed the bank. (Bank = Place/Victim)
Correct: They stole the money. (Money = Object)
Incorrect: They robbed the money.

Many students mistakenly say 'Someone robbed my bag' when they should say 'Someone stole my bag.'

Another common mistake involves the preposition 'of'. When specifying what was taken during a robbery, you must use 'of'. 'The thief robbed the woman her purse' is incorrect. It must be 'The thief robbed the woman of her purse.' This 'rob [someone] of [something]' structure is essential for clear communication. Without the 'of', the sentence becomes ungrammatical and confusing.

Confusing Rob with Burgle
While both involve illegal taking, 'burgle' specifically refers to breaking into a building to commit a crime. 'Rob' implies a person was present and threatened. If you come home to find your TV gone, your house was burgled. If someone stops you in the street with a knife, you were robbed.

Don't say 'The house was robbed' if no one was there; 'burgled' is the more precise term for a break-in.

Overusing the Passive
While 'I was robbed' is common, try to use the active voice when the subject is known to make your writing more engaging. 'A man in a mask robbed me' is often more descriptive than 'I was robbed by a man in a mask.'

It is a mistake to use rob for small, non-violent thefts, like taking a pen from a desk.

The phrase 'He robbed the bank of its gold' is the perfect example of the correct 'of' structure.

Avoid saying 'The thief robbed the jewelry'; use 'stole' instead.

While 'rob' is a versatile word, English offers many synonyms that provide more specific details about the nature of the crime. Choosing the right word can make your descriptions more vivid and accurate. For instance, 'mug' is a specific type of robbery that happens in a public place, usually involving physical violence. 'Heist' refers to a large-scale, often sophisticated robbery of a bank or museum. Understanding these nuances helps you sound more like a native speaker.

Mug vs. Rob
'Mug' is more informal and specifically describes a street robbery. You are 'robbed' at a bank, but you are 'mugged' in a dark alley. 'Mug' almost always implies a physical attack or the immediate threat of one.

The tourist was robbed (or mugged) while walking back to his hotel late at night.

Other alternatives include 'plunder' and 'loot', which are often used in the context of war or riots. These words suggest a chaotic situation where many people are taking things by force. 'Pillage' is a similar, more archaic term often used in historical contexts. In a corporate or financial setting, you might hear 'embezzle' or 'defraud', which describe taking money through deception rather than physical force. While these aren't direct synonyms for 'rob', they are related terms for illegal taking.

Heist
A 'heist' is a grand, planned robbery. It’s the word used for 'Ocean's Eleven' style crimes. It implies a high level of skill and a very valuable target.

The diamond heist was the largest robbery in the city's history.

Comparison Table
- **Steal**: Focus on the object.
- **Rob**: Focus on the person/place.
- **Burgle**: Focus on the building/entry.
- **Mug**: Focus on the street/violence.

The vikings would rob and pillage coastal villages during their raids.

To fleece someone is an informal way to say you robbed them by overcharging or swindling.

The storm robbed the town of its electricity for three days.

How Formal Is It?

حقيقة ممتعة

Because 'robe' and 'rob' are related, the original 'robbers' were literally people who took the clothes off your back!

دليل النطق

UK /rɒb/
US /rɑːb/
Single syllable, so the stress is on the entire word.
يتقافى مع
job bob mob sob knob throb snob blob
أخطاء شائعة
  • Pronouncing the 'o' like 'oh' (as in 'robe').
  • Not doubling the 'b' in 'robbed'.
  • Confusing the vowel sound with 'rub'.
  • Forgetting the 'b' is voiced at the end.
  • Over-emphasizing the 'r' sound.

مستوى الصعوبة

القراءة 3/5

The basic meaning is easy, but metaphorical uses can be tricky.

الكتابة 4/5

The 'rob vs steal' distinction is a common source of errors.

التحدث 3/5

Pronunciation is simple, but choosing the right word in context takes practice.

الاستماع 2/5

Easily recognized in news and stories.

ماذا تتعلّم بعد ذلك

المتطلبات الأساسية

take money bad person place

تعلّم لاحقاً

steal burgle theft crime victim

متقدم

larceny embezzle extort pillage deprive

قواعد يجب معرفتها

Transitive Verbs

You must have an object after 'rob' (e.g., 'He robbed the bank').

Passive Voice

The bank 'was robbed' (focus on the victim).

Prepositional Phrases

Use 'of' to specify the item taken ('robbed of his watch').

Doubling Consonants

Double the 'b' in 'robbed' and 'robbing' because of the CVC pattern.

Gerunds as Subjects

'Robbing banks is a dangerous business.'

أمثلة حسب المستوى

1

The bad man tried to rob the bank.

El hombre malo intentó robar el banco.

Simple subject + verb + object.

2

Do not rob people.

No robes a la gente.

Imperative form.

3

The robber is in jail.

El ladrón está en la cárcel.

Noun form 'robber'.

4

He wants to rob the store.

Él quiere robar la tienda.

Infinitive after 'wants to'.

5

They rob the travelers.

Ellos roban a los viajeros.

Present simple.

6

A thief robbed me.

Un ladrón me robó.

Past simple 'robbed'.

7

The police caught the man who tried to rob the bank.

La policía atrapó al hombre que intentó robar el banco.

Relative clause 'who tried to...'

8

Is it wrong to rob?

¿Está mal robar?

Infinitive as a subject complement.

1

The gang robbed the post office yesterday.

La banda robó la oficina de correos ayer.

Past simple with time expression 'yesterday'.

2

I was robbed in the city center.

Me robaron en el centro de la ciudad.

Passive voice 'was robbed'.

3

The robbers took all the money.

Los ladrones se llevaron todo el dinero.

Plural noun 'robbers'.

4

He was planning to rob a house.

Él estaba planeando robar una casa.

Past continuous.

5

They didn't rob anything from the shop.

No robaron nada de la tienda.

Negative past simple.

6

Has anyone ever robbed you?

¿Alguien te ha robado alguna vez?

Present perfect question.

7

The man who robbed the store was wearing a mask.

El hombre que robó la tienda llevaba una máscara.

Defining relative clause.

8

It is dangerous to rob a bank.

Es peligroso robar un banco.

It is + adjective + to-infinitive.

1

The thief robbed the elderly woman of her handbag.

El ladrón le robó el bolso a la anciana.

Rob + person + of + object.

2

The museum was robbed of several priceless paintings.

Al museo le robaron varios cuadros inestimables.

Passive voice with 'of' structure.

3

A sudden illness robbed him of his chance to compete.

Una enfermedad repentina le robó la oportunidad de competir.

Metaphorical use of 'rob'.

4

The bank has been robbed three times this year.

El banco ha sido robado tres veces este año.

Present perfect passive.

5

They were caught while trying to rob the jewelry store.

Fueron atrapados mientras intentaban robar la joyería.

While + -ing clause.

6

The referee's mistake robbed the team of a victory.

El error del árbitro le robó la victoria al equipo.

Abstract subject 'mistake'.

7

He felt that life had robbed him of his youth.

Sentía que la vida le había robado su juventud.

Past perfect in a reported thought.

8

The security guard was injured during the attempt to rob the vault.

El guardia de seguridad resultó herido durante el intento de robar la bóveda.

Noun phrase 'attempt to rob'.

1

The corrupt official was accused of robbing the public of millions.

El funcionario corrupto fue acusado de robar millones al público.

Gerund after preposition 'of'.

2

Economic instability can rob a generation of its future.

La inestabilidad económica puede robarle el futuro a una generación.

Modal verb 'can' for possibility.

3

The hackers managed to rob the online bank without leaving a trace.

Los hackers lograron robar el banco en línea sin dejar rastro.

Infinitive after 'managed to'.

4

She felt robbed when she realized the 'antique' was a fake.

Se sintió robada cuando se dio cuenta de que la 'antigüedad' era falsa.

Adjectival use of 'robbed' to mean cheated.

5

To rob Peter to pay Paul is never a sustainable financial strategy.

Robar a Pedro para pagar a Pablo nunca es una estrategia financiera sostenible.

Idiomatic expression as a subject.

6

The storm robbed the coastal town of its main source of income.

La tormenta le robó al pueblo costero su principal fuente de ingresos.

Metaphorical use in a formal context.

7

He was convicted of armed robbery after he robbed a gas station.

Fue condenado por robo a mano armada después de robar una gasolinera.

Distinction between the crime (robbery) and the act (robbed).

8

The lack of sleep was beginning to rob him of his sanity.

La falta de sueño estaba empezando a robarle la cordura.

Past continuous for a gradual process.

1

The systemic exploitation of resources robbed the nation of its wealth.

La explotación sistémica de los recursos robó a la nación su riqueza.

Complex subject with abstract noun.

2

The scandal robbed the politician of any remaining credibility.

El escándalo le robó al político cualquier credibilidad restante.

Use of 'any remaining' for emphasis.

3

The sudden death of the artist robbed the world of a great talent.

La muerte repentina del artista robó al mundo un gran talento.

Formal, eulogistic tone.

4

The company was found to have been robbing its employees blind for years.

Se descubrió que la empresa había estado robando descaradamente a sus empleados durante años.

Perfect continuous infinitive with idiom.

5

The harsh winter robbed the farmers of their entire harvest.

El duro invierno les robó a los agricultores toda su cosecha.

Metaphorical use describing natural disaster.

6

He argued that the new law would effectively rob citizens of their privacy.

Argumentó que la nueva ley privaría efectivamente a los ciudadanos de su privacidad.

Use of 'effectively' to show consequence.

7

The grief from her loss seemed to rob the very color from her life.

El duelo por su pérdida parecía robar el color mismo de su vida.

Poetic, literary usage.

8

The invaders proceeded to rob and despoil the ancient city.

Los invasores procedieron a robar y despojar la ciudad antigua.

Pairing with 'despoil' for formal register.

1

The relentless pursuit of profit often robs work of its intrinsic meaning.

La búsqueda implacable de beneficios a menudo roba al trabajo su significado intrínseco.

Philosophical subject and abstract object.

2

To suggest that the election was stolen is to rob the democratic process of its legitimacy.

Sugerir que las elecciones fueron robadas es robarle legitimidad al proceso democrático.

Infinitive phrase as a subject complement.

3

The passage of time inexorably robs us of our most cherished memories.

El paso del tiempo nos roba inexorablemente nuestros recuerdos más preciados.

Use of the adverb 'inexorably'.

4

The corporate raiders were accused of robbing the pension fund to cover their debts.

Los asaltantes corporativos fueron acusados de robar el fondo de pensiones para cubrir sus deudas.

Passive voice with complex prepositional phrase.

5

The trauma of the event had robbed him of the ability to feel joy.

El trauma del evento le había robado la capacidad de sentir alegría.

Past perfect for a completed state.

6

The critic claimed the director's edits had robbed the film of its soul.

El crítico afirmó que los montajes del director le habían robado el alma a la película.

Metaphorical use in artistic critique.

7

The colonial powers were criticized for robbing indigenous peoples of their heritage.

Las potencias coloniales fueron criticadas por robar a los pueblos indígenas su patrimonio.

Gerund in a critical social context.

8

The sudden market crash robbed thousands of their life savings in a single afternoon.

El repentino colapso del mercado robó a miles sus ahorros de toda la vida en una sola tarde.

Collective noun 'thousands' as the victim.

تلازمات شائعة

rob a bank
rob someone blind
rob someone of a chance
armed robbery
highway robbery
rob a store
rob someone of their dignity
attempt to rob
robbed at gunpoint
robbed of sleep

العبارات الشائعة

I've been robbed!

— Used when someone has actually been robbed or feels they have been overcharged.

I've been robbed! My wallet is gone!

rob the cradle

— To date or marry someone much younger than oneself.

He's 50 and she's 20; he's really robbing the cradle.

rob Peter to pay Paul

— To take from one person or source to pay another, often making things worse.

Using your savings to pay off a credit card is just robbing Peter to pay Paul.

highway robbery

— An exorbitant price for something.

The price of popcorn at the cinema is highway robbery.

robbed of victory

— To lose a competition unfairly.

The team felt robbed of victory by the bad call.

rob someone of their senses

— To make someone unable to think clearly.

The beauty of the view robbed him of his senses.

rob a grave

— To steal from a burial site; also used metaphorically for taking something from the past.

The archaeologists were accused of robbing graves.

robbed of a future

— To have one's prospects destroyed.

The war robbed many children of a future.

robbed of life

— To be killed, especially at a young age.

He was robbed of life far too soon.

daylight robbery

— Similar to highway robbery; being overcharged openly.

Charging for tap water is daylight robbery.

يُخلط عادةً مع

rob vs steal

Steal is for the object; rob is for the person or place.

rob vs burgle

Burgle is for breaking into an empty building; rob involves a person.

rob vs thieve

Thieve is a general, less common verb for being a thief.

تعبيرات اصطلاحية

"rob someone blind"

— To steal everything from someone or cheat them excessively.

The contractor robbed them blind.

informal
"rob Peter to pay Paul"

— Solving one problem by creating another, usually financial.

Don't rob Peter to pay Paul; find a real solution.

neutral
"highway robbery"

— A price that is much too high.

That price is highway robbery!

informal
"rob the cradle"

— To have a romantic relationship with a much younger person.

People said he was robbing the cradle.

informal
"daylight robbery"

— A situation where you are charged too much for something.

Paying for parking here is daylight robbery.

informal
"robbed of one's breath"

— To be extremely surprised or impressed.

The view robbed her of her breath.

literary
"robbed of one's peace"

— To have one's tranquility disturbed.

The constant noise robbed him of his peace.

neutral
"robbed of a voice"

— To be prevented from expressing one's opinion.

The new rules robbed the workers of a voice.

formal
"robbed of the limelight"

— To have attention taken away by someone else.

The scandal robbed the winner of the limelight.

neutral
"robbed of a dream"

— To have one's aspirations destroyed.

The injury robbed him of his Olympic dream.

neutral

سهل الخلط

rob vs steal

Both mean taking something illegally.

You steal an object (money, car), but you rob a person or place (bank, woman).

He stole the car; he robbed the driver.

rob vs burgle

Both involve illegal taking from a place.

Burgle implies breaking in, often when no one is there. Rob implies force or threat against a person.

They burgled the house at night; they robbed the cashier at noon.

rob vs mug

Both involve robbing a person.

Mug is informal and specifically refers to a robbery in a public place with violence.

He was mugged in the park.

rob vs shoplift

Both involve taking from a store.

Shoplifting is secret and non-violent; robbing a store involves threats or force.

She shoplifted a candy bar; they robbed the jewelry store.

rob vs embezzle

Both involve taking money.

Embezzling is a 'white-collar' crime involving trust and deception, not force.

The manager embezzled the funds.

أنماط الجُمل

A1

Subject + rob + Object

The man robbed the bank.

A2

Subject + was robbed

I was robbed.

B1

Subject + rob + Person + of + Thing

He robbed her of her purse.

B2

Abstract Subject + rob + Person + of + Abstract Object

The accident robbed him of his memory.

C1

Subject + be found + robbing + Person + blind

They were found robbing the company blind.

C2

Infinitive Phrase + is to + rob + Process + of + Quality

To lie is to rob a relationship of its trust.

B1

It + is + Adjective + to + rob + Place

It is wrong to rob a store.

B2

Subject + accused of + robbing + Object

He was accused of robbing the post office.

عائلة الكلمة

الأسماء

robber (the person)
robbery (the crime)

الأفعال

rob (present)
robbed (past)
robbing (continuous)

الصفات

robbed (the victim)
robbing (the act)

مرتبط

theft
thief
steal
burgle
mug

كيفية الاستخدام

frequency

Common in news, sports, and daily complaints.

أخطاء شائعة
  • He robbed my phone. He stole my phone.

    You rob people, you steal objects.

  • The thief robbed the bank of money. The thief robbed the bank of its money.

    You need a possessive or 'the' before the object in the 'of' structure.

  • I was robed last night. I was robbed last night.

    'Robed' means wearing a robe; 'robbed' means someone took your things.

  • They robbed to the store. They robbed the store.

    'Rob' is a transitive verb and does not need 'to'.

  • He robbed her the watch. He robbed her of the watch.

    You must use 'of' when specifying the item taken from a person.

نصائح

The Victim Rule

Always put the person or place immediately after the word 'rob'. Example: 'Rob the bank', not 'Rob the money'.

Rob vs. Steal

If you are talking about the item, use 'steal'. If you are talking about the person who lost it, use 'rob'.

Double the B

Remember to double the 'b' when adding -ed or -ing: robbed, robbing.

Metaphorical Use

Use 'robbed of' to describe losing an abstract thing like 'time', 'joy', or 'an opportunity'.

Highway Robbery

Use this phrase to complain about something that is way too expensive.

Robbery vs. Burglary

Robbery involves a person being present; burglary is about the building.

Common Pairs

Learn 'robbed at gunpoint' and 'robbed of a chance' as set phrases.

Short O

Make sure the 'o' sound is short and crisp, not long like in 'robe'.

Passive Voice

Use 'was robbed' when the focus is on the victim and the thief is unknown.

Sports Talk

Use 'robbed' to describe an unfair loss in a game or match.

احفظها

وسيلة تذكّر

Remember: You **ROB** a **R**eal person or a **B**uilding. You **S**teal **S**tuff.

ربط بصري

Imagine a thief pointing a gun at a **B**ank (Rob) versus a thief sneaking away with a **S**ack of money (Steal).

Word Web

Crime Victim Force Bank Money Threat Law Police

تحدٍّ

Try to write three sentences using 'rob' with a person, a place, and an abstract concept (like 'time' or 'chance').

أصل الكلمة

From Middle English 'robben', which comes from Old French 'rober'.

المعنى الأصلي: The word is related to 'robe' (clothing), as taking a person's clothes was a common form of theft in the Middle Ages.

Germanic origin, though it entered English through French.

السياق الثقافي

Be careful when using 'rob' in a joking way, as it can be a traumatic experience for those who have actually been victims of crime.

The term 'highway robbery' is a very common way for English speakers to complain about high prices.

Robin Hood (who robs the rich) Bonnie and Clyde (famous bank robbers) The Great Train Robbery (famous historical event)

تدرّب في الحياة الواقعية

سياقات واقعية

At a police station

  • I was robbed.
  • He robbed me of my wallet.
  • Where did the robbery happen?
  • Can you describe the robber?

Watching the news

  • A bank was robbed.
  • The suspects are at large.
  • No one was hurt during the robbery.
  • They robbed the store of $5000.

Talking about sports

  • We were robbed!
  • The ref robbed us of the win.
  • That was a robbery!
  • He robbed him of a goal.

Complaining about prices

  • This is highway robbery.
  • I feel like I've been robbed.
  • They're robbing us blind.
  • What a rip-off!

Discussing life events

  • The injury robbed him of his career.
  • Time robs us of everything.
  • Don't let fear rob you of joy.
  • She was robbed of her childhood.

بدايات محادثة

"Have you ever seen a movie about a famous bank robbery?"

"What would you do if you saw someone trying to rob a store?"

"Do you think prices in this city are so high that it feels like robbery?"

"Has a referee ever robbed your favorite team of a victory?"

"What is something that you feel has robbed you of your time lately?"

مواضيع للكتابة اليومية

Describe a time you felt 'robbed' of an opportunity. How did you handle the situation?

Write a short story about a clumsy robber who fails to rob a very strange shop.

Do you think the distinction between 'robbing' and 'stealing' is important? Why or why not?

Reflect on the phrase 'Time robs us of our youth.' Do you agree with this sentiment?

If you were a judge, what punishment would you give to someone who robbed a bank?

الأسئلة الشائعة

10 أسئلة

No, that is incorrect. You should say 'He stole my money' or 'He robbed me of my money'. 'Rob' always takes the victim (person or place) as its direct object.

A robber uses force or threats to take things directly from people or places. A thief is a general term for anyone who steals, often secretly.

Usually, yes. However, in sports or casual talk, it's used to mean something was unfair. 'I was robbed!' can just mean you think a price is too high.

It is spelled 'robbed' with two 'b's. This follows the rule of doubling the final consonant for short vowel words ending in CVC.

Yes, if people are inside and you threaten them. If the house is empty and you just break in, the correct word is 'burgle'.

It is a metaphorical way to say that something (like noise or worry) prevented you from sleeping.

It is a standard word used in both formal (legal) and informal (daily) contexts. Its register depends on how it's used.

Usually, 'rob' implies a more serious crime. For small things like a pen, use 'steal' or 'take'.

It means taking money or resources from one place to pay a debt in another, which doesn't actually solve the problem.

The noun for the act is 'robbery', and the noun for the person is 'robber'.

اختبر نفسك 180 أسئلة

writing

Write a sentence about a man robbing a bank.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Write a sentence using the word 'robber'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Write a sentence using 'robbed of'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Write a sentence about a sports team being 'robbed'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Write a metaphorical sentence using 'rob'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Write a sentence: Don't ____ people.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Write a sentence: The store ____ last night.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Write a sentence: He was robbed ____ gunpoint.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Write a sentence: This price is ____ robbery.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Write a sentence: The war ____ the children of their future.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Write a sentence about a thief.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Write a sentence about being robbed.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Write a sentence about a museum.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Write a sentence about a bad deal.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Write a sentence about time.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Write a sentence about a bad man.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Write a sentence about the police.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Write a sentence about an opportunity.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Write a sentence about an idiom.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Write a sentence about a scandal.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say: 'The man robbed the bank.'

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say: 'I was robbed yesterday.'

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say: 'He robbed me of my wallet.'

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say: 'That price is highway robbery!'

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say: 'The injury robbed him of his Olympic dream.'

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say: 'Don't rob.'

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say: 'The robber ran away.'

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say: 'The bank was robbed at noon.'

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say: 'He's robbing us blind.'

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say: 'Time robs us of our youth.'

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say: 'The thief is bad.'

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say: 'Police catch robbers.'

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say: 'She was robbed of her bag.'

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say: 'It's a daylight robbery.'

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say: 'The war robbed them of hope.'

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say: 'He robbed the shop.'

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say: 'A robbery happened.'

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say: 'He was robbed at gunpoint.'

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say: 'Don't rob Peter to pay Paul.'

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say: 'The storm robbed the town of power.'

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Listen and write: 'The man robbed the bank.'

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Listen and write: 'The robber was fast.'

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Listen and write: 'He robbed her of her purse.'

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Listen and write: 'This is highway robbery.'

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Listen and write: 'The scandal robbed him of his job.'

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Listen and write: 'Don't rob people.'

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Listen and write: 'I was robbed.'

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Listen and write: 'The museum was robbed.'

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Listen and write: 'He's robbing us blind.'

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Listen and write: 'Time robs us of youth.'

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Listen and write: 'The thief is here.'

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Listen and write: 'The bank was robbed.'

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Listen and write: 'He was robbed at gunpoint.'

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Listen and write: 'Daylight robbery.'

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Listen and write: 'The war robbed them.'

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:

/ 180 correct

Perfect score!

هل كان هذا مفيداً؟
لا توجد تعليقات بعد. كن أول من يشارك أفكاره!