lob

Meanings

1. 1verbtransitive

   To throw, hit or kick something so that it rises and falls in a high curve.

   Grammar: Takes an object: lob the ball over the net.

   Patterns

   • lob something over something
   • lob something to someone

   She lobbed the ball over the goalkeeper and into the net.

   He lobbed a water balloon across the fence.

   The tennis player lobbed the ball high above his opponent.

2. 2verbtransitiveinformal

   To throw something at someone or something carelessly, often in anger.

   Grammar: Often with 'at': lob insults at someone.

   Patterns

   • lob something at someone

   The two politicians lobbed insults at each other during the debate.

   Someone lobbed a rock through the window.

   Fans lobbed bottles onto the field.

3. 3nouncountablesport

   A high, curved shot or throw that passes over an opponent.

   Grammar: Countable: hit a lob, play a lob.

   Patterns

   • hit a lob
   • play a lob

   Her lob dropped just inside the baseline.

   The striker tried a lob but the keeper caught it.

   He won the point with a perfect lob.

Word forms

Common combinations

lob a ball

He lobbed a ball over the wall.

lob insults

They lobbed insults at each other.

lob a grenade

The soldier lobbed a grenade into the trench.

lob over the keeper

She lobbed it over the keeper's head.

hit a lob

He hit a lob that landed on the line.

Synonyms and how they differ

toss

Toss is a light, easy throw, often underhand, while lob stresses the high arc.

hurl

Hurl means to throw with great force, which is the opposite of the slow, high lob.

loft

Loft is mainly used in golf and cricket for sending the ball high, whereas lob is broader.

Word family

lobber noun

a person or thing that lobs

lobbed adjective

thrown or hit in a high arc

lobbing noun

the act of throwing in an arc

Commonly confused: lob or lobby? lob or lop?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “lob”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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