gobble up

USAGE SUMMARY

"gobble up" is a correct and usable term in written English.
It is usually used as a verb to mean to consume quickly and noisily. For example, "She gobbled up the last piece of cake before anyone else had a chance to get any."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Medical bills gobble up savings.

The Economist

Software firms gobble up anti-social geeks.

The Economist

They gobble up competitors with leveraged deals.

The Guardian - Opinion

Meanwhile, American children continue to gobble up sugar and fat.

The Economist

All of which would gobble up money and time.

The New York Times

"They'll gobble up every piece of content they can get.

The Guardian - Sport

"Information overload threatens to gobble up all of our attention".

The New York Times - Tech

Will it gobble up a wide or even devoted audience?

The New York Times - Arts

Moreover, subsidies, public-sector wages and debt service continue to gobble up most of the budget.

The Economist

The center, reportedly, will gobble up a galaxy of intercepted telecommunications.

The New Yorker

But I'll also sit him down and gobble up his stories.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gobble up" to vividly describe rapid consumption or acquisition, making your writing more engaging and less formal.

Common error

Avoid using "gobble up" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "consume rapidly" or "acquire quickly" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gobble up" functions primarily as a phrasal verb. It's used to describe the action of consuming something quickly and, often, eagerly. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in varied contexts, from eating to acquiring market share.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Encyclopedias

13%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "gobble up" is a common and correct phrasal verb used to describe the act of consuming or acquiring something quickly and often eagerly. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread usage. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral or informal contexts, as highlighted by the numerous examples found in news and media sources. For more formal writing, consider alternatives like "consume rapidly" or "acquire quickly" to maintain a professional tone. This phrase effectively adds vividness to descriptions, emphasizing the speed and enthusiasm associated with the action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wolf down

Similar to "gobble up" but suggests eating very greedily and quickly.

devour

Implies a more intense and often ravenous consumption, lacking the casual tone of the original.

consume rapidly

Focuses on the speed of consumption but lacks the colloquial feel.

snap up

Suggests seizing something eagerly and quickly, often used for opportunities or items in demand.

polish off

Indicates finishing something, especially food, quickly and completely.

eat quickly

A simpler and more direct way of expressing the same action, but less vivid.

acquire rapidly

Focuses on fast acquisition, often in a business or strategic context.

absorb quickly

Emphasizes assimilation or integration, applicable to information or resources.

take over rapidly

Specifically relates to quickly gaining control or dominance, often in a competitive context.

make short work of

Implies dealing with something quickly and efficiently, not limited to consumption.

FAQs

How can I use "gobble up" in a sentence?

You can use "gobble up" to describe eating something quickly, like "The kids gobbled up all the cookies". It can also describe rapid acquisition, as in "The company gobbled up its smaller competitors".

What are some synonyms for "gobble up"?

Alternatives include "devour", "consume rapidly", or "snap up" depending on the context. Each carries a slightly different connotation related to speed and eagerness.

Is "gobble up" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "gobble up" is generally more suitable for informal or news-related contexts. In formal writing, consider more neutral terms like "consume quickly" or "acquire rapidly".

What's the difference between "gobble up" and "devour"?

"Gobble up" implies eating or acquiring something quickly and often noisily. "Devour" suggests a more intense and almost ravenous consumption.