Phrase guide

smash and grab

noun · verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A robbery where a window of a shop or other premises is smashed and items are grabbed as quickly as possible.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: attributive, countable, often, uncountable

Examples

  • a smash and grab raid

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

An act of theft, appropriation, or other form of gaining advantage at another's expense that is done quickly and audaciously.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: attributive, broadly, countable, often, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To perform a smash and grab.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

3 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • German: Schaufenstereinbruch — robbery where a window of a shop or other premises is smashed and items are grabbed
  • Welsh: dwyn a dianc — robbery where a window of a shop or other premises is smashed and items are grabbed
  • Turkish: kapkaç — act of theft, appropriation, or other form of gaining advantage at another's expense done quickly and audaciously