be snapped up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be snapped up" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is quickly taken or acquired, often in a competitive context, such as job offers or limited-time deals. Example: "The new smartphone was so popular that it was snapped up by eager customers within hours of its release."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

She expected it to be snapped up.

The New York Times

That one will be snapped up fast.

The New York Times

Doubtless he will be snapped up elsewhere.

The Guardian

There are lots of firsts to be snapped up.

The Economist

They will be snapped up quickly, and then free agency will slow to a trickle.

The New York Times - Sports

A house on the market one minute was sure to be snapped up the next.

The New York Times

WhatsApp, the Silicon Valley messaging start-up, is to be snapped up by Facebook.

The Guardian - Business

McKechnie is the latest British company to be snapped up by a buyout fund.

The New York Times

Any odds-against offers for India to win the two-Test series should be snapped up.

The Guardian - Sport

Actually, law firms being law firms, they'll probably be snapped up.

The Guardian

The other positions, he figured, would be snapped up by jobless local residents wanting some extra summer cash.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be snapped up" when you want to convey the idea that something is in high demand and likely to be acquired quickly due to its desirability or limited availability.

Common error

While "be snapped up" is widely understood, avoid using it excessively in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and sophisticated language to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be snapped up" functions as a phrasal verb indicating that something is acquired quickly, often due to high demand or limited availability. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "be snapped up" is a common and versatile expression used to describe something being quickly acquired or taken, often due to high demand or limited availability. Ludwig AI validates its frequent appearance in News & Media sources, with smaller percentages in Science and Formal & Business contexts, the grammatical status is "Correct". It effectively communicates a sense of urgency and competition, making it suitable for describing sought-after items, job opportunities, and investment prospects. While generally neutral in register, it is best to avoid overuse in highly formal writing, opting for more precise language to maintain a professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be quickly acquired

Focuses on the act of acquisition without necessarily implying competition.

be rapidly purchased

Emphasizes the speed of buying something, common in retail contexts.

be eagerly grabbed

Highlights the enthusiasm with which something is taken.

be swiftly claimed

Suggests a sense of entitlement or urgency in taking something.

be promptly secured

Focuses on the action of making something safe or certain to have.

be immediately seized

Implies a forceful or opportunistic taking of something.

be readily adopted

Highlights the willingness to accept or use something quickly.

be fast consumed

Emphasizes the rate at which something is used up or finished.

be swiftly procured

Suggests that something is obtained quickly, often through special effort.

be instantly bagged

Informal way to describe something being successfully acquired.

FAQs

How can I use "be snapped up" in a sentence?

You can use "be snapped up" to describe something that is quickly taken or acquired. For example, "The limited edition sneakers will "be snapped up" by collectors within minutes."

What are some alternatives to "be snapped up"?

Alternatives include "be quickly acquired", "be rapidly purchased", or "be eagerly grabbed", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "be snapped up" in formal writing?

While "be snapped up" is widely understood, it may be more suitable for informal or journalistic contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives in academic or professional writing.

What does it mean when something is described as "to be snapped up"?

It means that something is likely to be acquired very quickly because it is desirable, rare, or offered at a good price. There's an element of competition implied.