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dob on

B1 informal inseparable transitive
In simple words

To tell someone in charge that another person did something wrong.

Meanings

1 B1 idiomatic informal

To tell an authority figure about someone's wrongdoing; to inform on someone. (Australian/NZ)

"He dobbed on his teammate for missing training, and the coach was furious."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Essentially synonymous with 'dob in'. Both are Australian/NZ informal terms. 'Dob on' emphasizes the person being reported: 'she dobbed on him'. Carries a negative social connotation — being a 'dobber' is frowned upon.

Commonly used with

classmate friend colleague brother cheater

Forms

Base
dob on
I/you/we/they
3rd person
dobs on
he/she/it
Past simple
dobed on
yesterday
Past participle
dobed on
have + pp
-ing form
dobing on
continuous

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Synonyms

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