Meaning & use
gobbing
Last updated
“gobbing” is a form of “gob”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
noununcountableslangBritishinformal
The act of spitting, especially in a rude or aggressive way.
Grammar: Used as a mass noun: you say 'gobbing is banned', not 'a gobbing'.
Patterns
- gobbing at someone
- be caught gobbing
The teacher warned the boys that gobbing in the corridor would get them suspended.
Fans complained about gobbing and swearing at the match.
He was told off for gobbing on the pavement.
verbintransitiveslangBritishinformal
Spitting, or (of a person) moving the mouth without words, as in the -ing form of 'gob'.
Grammar: This is the -ing form of the verb 'gob'; it never takes an object here: 'he was gobbing', not 'he gobbed it'.
Patterns
- be gobbing
- stop gobbing
She was gobbing out of the bus window and her mother was furious.
The crowd started gobbing at the referee.
Stop gobbing at people — it is disgusting.
Word forms
| base form | gob |
|---|---|
| third person singular | gobs |
| past tense | gobbed |
| past participle | gobbed |
Common combinations
- gobbing off
- He spent the whole lesson gobbing off instead of working.
- gobbing at someone
- The drunk was gobbing at passers-by.
- a gobbing fine
- The council introduced a gobbing fine in the town center.
- caught gobbing
- Two pupils were caught gobbing behind the gym.
Synonyms and how they differ
- spitting
- The neutral, standard word for the same action; 'gobbing' is slang and sounds cruder and more British.
- expectorating
- A formal, medical-sounding verb meaning to cough up and spit; far too technical for everyday talk.
Word family
- gob noun
- Slang for the mouth, or a lump of spit.
- gob verb
- To spit, especially rudely.
- gobsmacked adjective
- British slang meaning extremely surprised.
Commonly confused: gobbing or gobbling?
gobbing vs gobbling
'Gobbling' means eating fast and noisily (like a turkey); 'gobbing' is spitting. One letter changes the meaning completely.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'gobbing' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Gobbing' means spitting, so it fits the playground scene. Option B confuses it with 'gobbling' (eating greedily), C uses the wrong verb meaning (going), and D contradicts the rude, noisy nature of the action.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “gobbing”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.