dob in: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal
Quick answer
What does “dob in” mean?
To inform on someone, to report someone's wrongdoing to an authority.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To inform on someone, to report someone's wrongdoing to an authority.
To betray someone by revealing their secret activities, often used pejoratively to imply a lack of loyalty within a group.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Common and understood in British English, rare in American English where 'rat out', 'snitch on', or 'tell on' are preferred.
Connotations
In British/Australian usage, it implies a breach of informal group solidarity. In American contexts, if used, it might be perceived as a quirky foreign term.
Frequency
High frequency in Australian informal speech, moderate in UK, very low in US.
Grammar
How to Use “dob in” in a Sentence
[Subject] dobs [Object] in (to [Authority])[Subject] dobs in [Object] (to [Authority])Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dob in” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Don't you dare dob me in to the headteacher!
- I can't believe Tim dobbed in the whole team for taking long lunches.
American English
- (Rare, but understood) She dobbed in her coworker for stealing office supplies.
- In the movie, the Australian character threatened to dob in the smuggler.
adverb
British English
- (Not used as adverb)
- (Not used as adverb)
American English
- (Not used as adverb)
- (Not used as adverb)
adjective
British English
- (Not used as adjective)
- (Not used as adjective)
American English
- (Not used as adjective)
- (Not used as adjective)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. 'An employee dobbed in the manager for violating safety protocols.'
Academic
Extremely rare; considered colloquial and inappropriate.
Everyday
Common in informal settings among friends, family, or colleagues. 'My brother dobbed me in for eating the last biscuit.'
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dob in”
- Incorrect phrasal verb separation: 'He dobbed in me' (should be 'He dobbed me in').
- Using in overly formal contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is informal and carries a negative connotation of betrayal, so it can be perceived as accusatory or rude when directed at someone.
'Dob in' is stronger and implies a greater breach of trust, often within a peer group. 'Tell on' is more childish and neutral.
Rarely. Even when reporting serious crime, the term focuses on the act of betrayal from within a group rather than civic duty.
Etymology is uncertain but likely from British dialect 'dob' meaning 'to put down or place heavily', evolving into 'to inform on' in Australian and UK slang.
To inform on someone, to report someone's wrongdoing to an authority.
Dob in is usually informal in register.
Dob in: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdɒb ˈɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdɑːb ˈɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “You wouldn't dob in a mate, would you?”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'dob' as a finger pointing (like a dot) ON someone, 'in' to the authorities. You DOB someone INto trouble.
Conceptual Metaphor
INFORMING IS BETRAYAL / SOCIAL SOLIDARITY IS A CONTAINER (you break it by dobbing in).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'dob in' MOST appropriately used?