Fob
/fɑːb/
Definitions
4 meaningsA small pocket or compartment, particularly in a waistcoat or trousers, originally designed to hold a pocket watch.
/fɑːb/
A small pocket, especially for a watch.
The antique watch was safely kept in its fob.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're wearing a fancy vest and you have a tiny pocket just for your watch. That little pocket is a fob pocket!
👶 For kids: A little pocket for something small, like a watch or keys.
More Examples
She reached into her fob to check the time.
How It's Used
"He kept his watch in his fob."
"The tailor designed the waistcoat with a fob pocket."
A short chain or ribbon attached to a pocket watch, often bearing a decorative ornament or charm.
/fɑːb/
A short chain or ribbon attached to a watch, often with an ornament.
The fob on his pocket watch was engraved with his initials.
💡 Simply: Imagine a fancy chain that hangs from your pocket watch. The chain itself, or anything hanging on it, is the fob!
👶 For kids: A chain or string that hangs from a watch and looks pretty.
More Examples
She admired the ornate fob attached to the antique watch.
How It's Used
"The antique watch had a decorative gold fob."
"Collectors often seek out antique fobs."
A small electronic device, typically containing an RFID tag or other security feature, used for access control or remote operation of a device, such as a car or door lock.
/fɑːb/
A small electronic security device.
She used the fob to start her car.
💡 Simply: It's like a remote control for your car door or house door. You press the button and it opens!
👶 For kids: A little clicker that unlocks your car or a door.
More Examples
The office building required a key fob for entry.
How It's Used
"He used his key fob to unlock the car."
"The access card was replaced by a security fob."
To deceive or trick someone; to cheat them out of something (archaic or dialectal).
/fɑːb/
To deceive or trick (archaic).
He fobbed off the bill to someone else.
💡 Simply: Imagine someone is trying to trick you or give you something that's not the real deal. They are trying to 'fob' you!
👶 For kids: To trick someone into thinking something that's not true.
More Examples
She was afraid he would try to fob her off with an excuse.
How It's Used
"He fobbed her off with a false promise."
Idioms & expressions
fob off
To get rid of someone or something by giving them something of little value or by making an excuse.
"The salesman tried to fob me off with a cheaper model."
Originating in the 18th century, "fob" initially referred to a small pocket, particularly for a watch. The word's etymology is uncertain; it may be derived from a Low German word or a variant of "fub" meaning 'to cheat' or 'to deceive'. It later evolved to also mean the watch chain or ornament worn in the fob pocket, and subsequently, a portable electronic device.
The term "fob" as a small pocket dates back to the 18th century, primarily for pocket watches. The electronic device usage is more recent.
Memory tip
Think of a pocket to hold your phone or keys: a 'fob' pocket.