mob
mob — noun
1. a large group of people who are extremely angry and behave in a violent or uncon
a large group of people who are extremely angry and behave in a violent or uncontrolled way, often by shouting, breaking things, or attacking others.
The angry mob threw stones at the police cars blocking the street.
collocation: angry mob
A mob of about 200 people gathered outside the town hall shouting for change.
pattern: a mob of + number
The mayor's car was surrounded by a mob demanding better housing.
News reports showed the mob breaking shop windows and setting fires.
文法句型
a mob of + noun
the mob + verb
用法筆記
Often used with 'the' to refer to the crowd as a single threatening body ('the mob grew louder'). Distinguish from sense 2 (GROUP OF FRIENDS) — this sense always implies anger or violence.
常見錯誤
2. the people you know well and regularly spend time with — used in a friendly or j
the people you know well and regularly spend time with — used in a friendly or joking way to describe your own friendship circle.
Ishaan and his mob usually hang out at the skate park after school.
informal use: someone's mob = their group of friends
Shirin invited the whole mob to her birthday party at the weekend.
The usual mob showed up at the café for coffee and board games.
Our mob from college still meets once a year for a reunion dinner.
文法句型
the + adjective + mob
someone's mob
用法筆記
Informal and affectionate or humorous in tone. Not used in formal writing. Contrast with sense 1 (ANGRY CROWD) — this sense implies friendship, not hostility.
3. an organized group of criminals who work together to carry out illegal activitie
an organized group of criminals who work together to carry out illegal activities such as drug smuggling, gambling, or murder, often over a long period of time.
The local mob controls all the illegal gambling in this district.
collocation: the [local/city] mob
Three members of the local mob were arrested for drug trafficking during the raid.
The witness was too afraid to testify against the mob in court.
The film tells the true story of a mob boss who ruled the city's underworld.
文法句型
the Mob
mob + noun (boss, leader, member)
用法筆記
When capitalised as 'the Mob', refers specifically to the Mafia or similar major organised crime networks. When lowercase, can refer to any criminal gang.
常見錯誤
4. a term for several animals of the same species that gather or travel as one unit
a term for several animals of the same species that gather or travel as one unit, most often used in Australia for native mammals such as kangaroos and wallabies.
A mob of kangaroos hopped across the open field at sunset.
collective noun for kangaroos
The park ranger warned us about a mob of wild boar near the campsite.
We watched a mob of wallabies feeding on the grass beside the road.
The documentary showed a mob of emus running across the Australian plains.
文法句型
a mob of + animal species
用法筆記
Primarily used in Australian English for native animals. Most commonly used for kangaroos and wallabies. Not used for domestic animals like cattle or sheep.
5. short for 'mobile object' — any moving creature or figure inside a video game th
short for 'mobile object' — any moving creature or figure inside a video game that the player can choose to fight, hunt, or sneak past, especially ones that appear as part of the regular game environment.
The dungeon is full of mobs that attack as soon as they see you.
gaming term: mobs as enemies that spawn in game areas
Hiro killed twelve mobs on the way to the dragon's lair.
You can sneak past the mobs instead of fighting them to save health points.
The game spawns new mobs every time you enter the cave.
- enemy
broader term that includes boss monsters and player enemies
- monster
more specific to fantasy games; implies a non-human creature
- NPC (non-player character)
broader term that includes friendly characters as well
文法句型
mob + verb
kill/defeat/fight + mobs
用法筆記
A technical term from online role-playing games (MMORPGs). 'Mob' stands for 'mobile object' — any non-player character that can move and be interacted with. Most common among gamers.
mob — verb
1. to surround someone in large numbers because of strong interest, excitement, adm
to surround someone in large numbers because of strong interest, excitement, admiration, or anger, making it hard for them to move.
Fans mobbed the singer as she stepped out of the hotel.
pattern: fans/people + mob + celebrity
The reporters mobbed the politician the moment he arrived at the airport.
Children mobbed the ice cream truck as soon as it pulled into the street.
Customers mobbed the store on the first day of the big sale.
- surround
neutral; does not imply large numbers or strong emotion
- crowd around
similar meaning but slightly less intense
- swarm
suggests rapid, chaotic movement like insects
文法句型
mob + someone
be mobbed by + group
mob + place
用法筆記
Frequently used in the passive voice ('The singer was mobbed by fans'). The crowd's emotion can be positive (excitement, admiration) or negative (anger), but the core meaning is a large number of people pressing in.
常見錯誤
2. the behaviour in which a group of smaller creatures, especially birds, collectiv
the behaviour in which a group of smaller creatures, especially birds, collectively attacks a larger predator to force it away from their home or babies.
A group of crows mobbed the hawk and forced it out of the garden.
pattern: small birds + mob + predator + force it away
Smaller birds often mob an owl during daylight hours to protect their nests.
The swallows mobbed the cat that was creeping towards their nest.
We watched a flock of gulls mobbing a seagull that had stolen their food.
文法句型
mob + predator
be mobbed by + small animals/birds
用法筆記
This term is used by biologists and birdwatchers to describe a specific defensive behaviour. The attackers are usually smaller and act cooperatively. Contrast with sense 1 (CROWD AROUND) — in this sense the crowd is animals, not people, and the purpose is defence.