robin hood: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, informal, literary, journalistic
Quick answer
What does “robin hood” mean?
The legendary English outlaw of medieval folklore who stole from the rich to give to the poor.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The legendary English outlaw of medieval folklore who stole from the rich to give to the poor.
Used as an archetype or term for a person, group, or policy that takes wealth from the wealthy and distributes it to the less affluent; often describing a redistributionist philosophy.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The cultural reference is equally strong in both varieties, though the original legends are set in England. More likely to be used in British political discourse historically.
Connotations
Both share core connotations of social justice, rebellion against authority, and skillful archery. Can carry slightly romanticised or critical connotations depending on context.
Frequency
Similar high frequency in both varieties as a cultural reference. Slightly higher lexical productivity in UK English for derived terms (e.g., 'Robin Hood economy').
Grammar
How to Use “robin hood” in a Sentence
[Actor] is a Robin Hood figure[Policy] has been described as a Robin Hood [policy/tax]to Robin Hood [something] (rare verb use)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “robin hood” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The Chancellor was accused of trying to Robin Hood the tax system.
- They joked about Robin Hooding the corporate bonuses.
American English
- The activist wanted to Robin Hood the excess profits.
- He was metaphorically Robin Hooding the budget.
adverb
British English
- He acted Robin Hood-like, donating his winnings.
American English
- The funds were distributed almost Robin Hood-style.
adjective
British English
- The policy had a distinct Robin Hood quality.
- They proposed a Robin Hood levy on financial transactions.
American English
- It was a classic Robin Hood scenario.
- The mayor ran on a Robin Hood platform.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used critically or positively to describe taxation or wealth redistribution policies (e.g., 'The proposal was dismissed as Robin Hood economics.').
Academic
Appears in historical, literary, and political science texts as an archetype of social banditry or a metaphor for redistribution.
Everyday
Common cultural reference for someone who takes from powerful entities to help ordinary people. (e.g., 'He's a bit of a Robin Hood.').
Technical
Not typically used in highly technical fields except as a metaphorical shorthand in economics or political discourse.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “robin hood”
- Using it as a regular countable noun (e.g., 'a robin hood') instead of a proper noun or modifier.
- Misspelling as 'Robinwood' or 'Robbin Hood'.
- Confusing the character with other archer figures.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Robin Hood is generally considered a legendary figure, likely based on multiple outlaws or entirely fictional, with no definitive historical proof of his existence.
Yes, but it's informal and relatively rare. It means to take from the wealthy to benefit the poor, e.g., 'to Robin Hood corporate profits.'
It is ambivalent. It can praise someone for championing the poor and fighting injustice, or criticise them for engaging in illegal or economically disruptive redistribution.
Treating it as a common noun and using articles incorrectly (e.g., 'a Robin Hood'). It is a proper noun and should be capitalised: Robin Hood.
The legendary English outlaw of medieval folklore who stole from the rich to give to the poor.
Robin hood is usually formal, informal, literary, journalistic in register.
Robin hood: in British English it is pronounced /ˌrɒb.ɪn ˈhʊd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌrɑː.bɪn ˈhʊd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Robin Hood's barn (a roundabout route)”
- “to go round Robin Hood's barn”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Rhymes with 'took from the neighbourhood (rich part) for good'.
Conceptual Metaphor
WEALTH REDISTRIBUTION IS ROBBING THE RICH; SOCIAL JUSTICE IS ARCHERY (hitting the right target).
Practice
Quiz
In its extended modern use, 'Robin Hood' primarily refers to: