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demob

Low
UK/diːˈmɒb/US/diˈmɑb/

Informal, chiefly British

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Definition

Meaning

to release someone from military service; demobilize.

The process of transitioning military personnel back into civilian life; the discharge itself. Can also refer to the period after being demobilized.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

Primarily used as a verb ('to demob') and as a noun ('the demob', 'after his demob'). Shortened from 'demobilize'. More common in British English, particularly around WWII.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

In British English, 'demob' is a common informal shortening of 'demobilize'/'demobilisation'. In American English, 'demob' is far less common; 'discharge', 'separate', or 'demobilize' are standard.

Connotations

In UK, carries historical/post-war associations. In US, very rare and would sound like a Briticism.

Frequency

High frequency in UK historical/military contexts; very low frequency in modern US English.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
demob suitget demobbedafter demob
medium
demob leavedemob papersdemob money
weak
demob centredemob happydemob day

Grammar

Valency Patterns

[Sb] demob [Sb][Sb] get demobbed

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

demobilize (formal equivalent)decommission (for equipment)

Neutral

demobilizedischargerelease from service

Weak

let gosend home

Vocabulary

Antonyms

mobilizeconscriptenlistdraft

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • “Demob happy (feeling elated and careless because one is about to be discharged from the military).”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Rarely used.

Academic

Used in historical/social studies contexts discussing post-war transitions.

Everyday

Informal British, among older generations or in historical discussion.

Technical

Military jargon (British).

Examples

By Part of Speech

verb

British English

  • He was finally demobbed in late 1946.
  • The army promised to demob the troops by Christmas.

American English

  • (Rare) The unit was demobbed after the armistice. (More likely: The unit was demobilized.)

adverb

British English

  • (No standard adverbial use.)

American English

  • (No standard adverbial use.)

adjective

British English

  • He wore his demob suit to his first civilian job interview.

American English

  • (Virtually never used as an adjective.)

Examples

By CEFR Level

A2
  • My grandfather was demobbed after the war.
B1
  • After his demob, he found it hard to adjust to civilian life.
B2
  • The government's demobilisation plan aimed to demob millions of servicemen within a year.
C1
  • The phenomenon of 'demob happiness' often led to impulsive decisions, like hastily buying a demob suit and proposing marriage.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think: DE-MOB-ilize -> remove from the MOB (the military body).

Conceptual Metaphor

RELEASE AS UNTYING (from the bonds of service).

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

  • Do not confuse with 'demo' (демо) meaning demonstration. 'Demob' is unrelated to 'демонстрация'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'demob' in formal American contexts.
  • Misspelling as 'de-mob' with a hyphen.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
After the conflict ended, it took nearly two years to all the conscripted soldiers.
Multiple Choice

In which context is 'demob' most commonly used today?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

No, it is an informal shortening of 'demobilize', primarily used in British English.

Yes, in British English, e.g., 'He got a job soon after his demob.'

A suit of civilian clothes issued to British servicemen upon their discharge after WWII.

Extremely rarely. Americans typically say 'discharge', 'separate', or 'demobilize'.