What does robbing mean?
Robbing is the act of taking money, property, or something valuable from another person or place by force, threat, deception, or exploitation. It is commonly associated with crimes such as robbing a bank, a store, or a person, but the word also has figurative uses: an accident may rob someone of an opportunity, while an unfair price can be said to rob customers of their money. The expression "rob someone blind" emphasizes theft on a large scale and is informal. Robbing is normally used for the activity itself or for an action involving a person or place as the object; when something is taken from someone, the common pattern is "rob someone of something."
verbTo take someone's property by force, threat, or deception, especially in a place such as a bank or shop. In figurative use, it means to deprive someone of something they value.
- To take someone's money or property by force, threat, or deception.
- To deprive someone of something important or valuable.
- To overcharge or exploit someone financially.
"The thief was caught trying to rob the jewelry store."
"The mask-wearing men attempted to rob the train."
"The error robbed the researcher of several hours of valuable work."
"Visitors complained that the resort was robbing them of their money."
The word "rob" has a long history of describing theft by force, and "robbing" remains the familiar way to describe taking something that belongs to someone else.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does robbing come from?
The verb "rob" comes through Middle English from Old French "rober," meaning to take or steal. The ultimate origin is uncertain, though it is often connected with a Germanic word associated with plunder or seizure. The noun "robber" and the abstract noun "robbery" developed from the same verbal root, while "robbing" is the present participle and gerund form of the verb.
Related word forms
How robbing is actually used
The word is strongly associated with taking property by force or threat, especially from a bank, shop, or person. It can also be used figuratively for financial exploitation or deprivation. "Rob someone blind" is an informal expression meaning to take an extremely large amount of money or valuables.
Easily confused with robbing
Robbing means taking someone's property, while rubbing means moving one surface repeatedly against another.
Robbing means taking property by force or deception, while robbing someone of something means depriving them of it.