HOBNOB Definition & Meaning

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hobnob

[ hob-nob ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used without object)

hobnobbed, hobnobbing.

to associate on very friendly terms (usually followed by with ):
She often hobnobs with royalty.
Archaic. to drink together.

noun

a friendly, informal chat.

hobnob

/ ˈ��ɒ��ˌ��ɒ�� /

verb

to socialize or talk informally
obsolete.
to drink (with)

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of hobnob¹

First recorded in 1825–30 in the sense “hit or miss; at random”; from the phrase hab or nab literally, “have or have not,” from Middle English habbe or nabbe, Old English habban “to have” + nabbn “not to have” (from ne “not” + habban “to have”)

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of hobnob¹

C18: from hob or nob to drink to one another in turns, hence, to be familiar, ultimately from Old English habban to have + nabban not to have

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Example Sentences

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Bankman-Fried was there too, hobnobbing with world leaders and living in the Bahamas.

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Since the election, Trump has spent most of his time hobnobbing with billionaires and obviously not giving the price of groceries a second thought.

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Cohn, on the other hand, went on to hobnob with the rich and famous including just about every powerful politician in America.

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He preened, he hugged, he shook hands and hobnobbed with legends and politicians.

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While Ralph Nader came from a respected background of advancing consumer protection laws, Jill Stein is better known for hobnobbing with Russian officials and spouting disinformation on behalf of Vladimir Putin.

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