it was robbed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was robbed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an event where something was taken unlawfully from a person or place. Example: "The bank was closed for several hours after it was robbed early in the morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

It was robbed of its first-ever victory over England in any form of cricket earlier this year when Morgan, supported only by the bottom of the order, scored 110 not out to win a one-day international in Dhaka.

The New York Times - Sports

"I'm not angry anymore," West said, "but I had to get my anger out". A few moments later, he pulls up a potential cover image for a forthcoming single: It's a photo of the Saint Laurent store in Chicago after it was robbed last year, its front window shattered, the logo fractured.

The New York Times

had customers in its parking lot and lobby when it was robbed about 7 25 p.m., according to the Ventura County Sheriff's Department.

Los Angeles Times

"It was robbed of any epic quality, but that was probably best.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He said the way the money was purportedly being transported at the Whole Foods when it was robbed raised concerns.

The New York Times

Two crew members from the vessel had also been on board the bus when it was robbed.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

"I hate the one-child policy, as do a lot of people there," Mr. Huntsman said, explaining that "it is robbing the Chinese people of life and opportunity".

The New York Times

Then, after 200 pages, I realized that I needed to scrap one of them because it was robbing the book of its tension.

Huffington Post

To begin with it was rob and run, playing on the counter, but he started to combine that with a more patient attack too.

The Guardian - Sport

In return, it was robbing me of my time, my confidence and my joy.

HuffPost

Filmmakers who paint history more inclusive than it was rob their audiences of hard truths worth exploring.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was robbed" to clearly and directly describe an instance of theft, particularly when the act of robbing is the focus.

Common error

Avoid using "it was robbed" metaphorically to describe situations that don't involve actual theft. For example, don't say "the performance was robbed of its energy" – instead, use more appropriate phrasing like "the performance lacked energy".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was robbed" functions as a passive construction, indicating that something (the subject) was the recipient of the action of being robbed. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

21%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was robbed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction to describe an instance of theft. As Ludwig's analysis shows, this phrase appears predominantly in News & Media, followed by Academia and Formal & Business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects an act of theft and avoid metaphorical uses. Alternatives such as "it was stolen" or "it was burglarized" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was stolen

Replaces "robbed" with a more general term for theft.

it was burglarized

Specifies that the theft involved breaking into a building.

it was looted

Suggests widespread theft, often during a conflict or disaster.

it was plundered

Implies violent or aggressive theft, often of valuable items.

it was deprived of

Focuses on the loss or deprivation experienced as a result.

it was bereft of

Emphasizes a sense of sadness or loss due to the deprivation.

it was defrauded

Indicates that something was taken through deception or fraud.

it was embezzled

Specifies that the theft was committed by someone in a position of trust.

it was fleeced

Suggests that someone was cheated or overcharged.

it was swindled

Implies that someone was tricked into giving up something valuable.

FAQs

What does "it was robbed" mean?

The phrase "it was robbed" means that something was taken illegally from a person or place. The focus is on the action of stealing.

What can I say instead of "it was robbed"?

You can use alternatives such as "it was stolen", "it was burglarized", or "it was looted" depending on the context.

Is "it was robbed" formal or informal?

The phrase "it was robbed" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The formality depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the situation.

When is it appropriate to use "it was robbed"?

Use "it was robbed" when you want to emphasize that something was taken illegally. For example, "The bank was closed because "it was robbed" this morning".