play hob with en · VERB
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
Etymology
From Middle English Hob (a diminutive of Robin, from Old French [Term?], a diminutive of Robert) in its connection with Robin Goodfellow and (subsequently) the devil. Compare hobgoblin.
Meanings
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(UK, dated, idiomatic, qualifier:rustic US) mess with, cause trouble for
It'll play hob with my sleep schedule but I suppose it can't be helped. Please let the house elves know that if I ask for an early breakfast at, say, three A.M. tomorrow morning, I'm to receive it.
2010, Eliezer Yudkowsky, Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality, §62:The revolutionists who are playing hob with our generation are really masters of the obsolete.
1940, D.A. Lord, Our Lady in the Modern World, iii. 141:They say it's playing hob with the fellers in these here parts.
1838 June 2, Mirror, N.Y, 387/1:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| playing hob with | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| played hob with | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| played hob with | Tense=Past | lexicographic | |
| plays hob with | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic |