snatch time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "snatch time" is not a standard expression in written English and may not be widely understood.
It could be used informally to imply taking advantage of a brief moment or opportunity, but clarity may be lacking. Example: "I managed to snatch time to finish my report before the deadline."

News & Media

Sport

Books

Lifestyle

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He's doubling in the same play as a prat-falling drunken porter, Poche, at the Snatch Time hotel in the eighth arrondissement of Paris.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

He was snatching time between masses at three large churches.

The Economist

Snatching time at the end of the teaching day and after his son went to bed, Colfer wrote three more books before Artemis Fowl.

The Guardian - Books

And the book's structure makes the challenge even greater: short chapters that cover only a snatch of time, occasionally with gaps of years between them.

The New York Times - Books

I'm often on the road, or in a film studio, and I snatch my time wherever and whenever I can.

The Guardian - Books

After playing 189 minutes of a final in temperatures nudging 50C, at the conclusion of a punishing 13-day tournament, the player had earned at least a chance for a small snatch of time in which to catch his breath.

The Guardian - Sport

If we do manage to snatch the time, odds are we may want that warm drink to be something a bit stiffer than hot cocoa.

Huffington Post

She finds love, loses it, is happy for brief snatches of time before the remorseless Ridgeway catches up with her, and she must flee again.

The Guardian - Books

Each of the other main candidates, Mr. Bloomberg included, is snatching up time on news-related programs like "60 Minutes," "Face the Nation" and "Nightline".

The New York Times

Never mind the recession; advertisers are paying as much as $3 million for 30-second snatches of time — or $100,000 a second.

The New York Times

"All I want to do is keep on writing," Sierra confessed to me, but, she said, she figured they could steal snatches of time in rehearsal studios across Brisbane, Athens, Budapest, Nice and Porto.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and audience; "snatch time" is less formal and may not be appropriate in all professional settings.

Common error

Avoid using "snatch time" in formal documents or presentations where a more professional tone is required. Alternatives like "make the most of time" or "seize the opportunity" may be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of the phrase "snatch time" is to act as a verb phrase, describing the action of quickly taking advantage of a limited time opportunity. As Ludwig AI identifies, it's not a standard expression, its infrequent usage suggests a specific informal context.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Sport

17%

Books

13%

Less common in

Lifestyle

7%

Opinion

7%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "snatch time" describes the act of quickly seizing an opportunity, implying urgency and efficiency. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig AI notes it's not a standard expression and is relatively rare, mostly appearing in News & Media, Books, and Sport contexts. More formal alternatives include "seize the moment" or "make the most of time". Use "snatch time" to emphasize brevity and quickness, but avoid it in formal settings where a professional tone is required. The phrase may not be widely understood, so be sure your audience will comprehend its meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seize the moment

Emphasizes taking advantage of an immediate opportunity, focusing on the present.

make the most of time

Focuses on utilizing available time efficiently and productively.

grab a moment

Suggests taking a brief opportunity, often for rest or personal enjoyment.

steal a moment

Implies taking time discreetly or against obligations.

find time

Highlights the effort required to allocate time within a busy schedule.

carve out time

Similar to 'find time' but emphasizes the active effort of creating space in a schedule.

snag an opportunity

Highlights securing a beneficial opportunity, similar to 'snatch' but more focused on outcomes.

capitalize on time

Focuses on leveraging time for maximum gain, often in a business or strategic context.

extract time

Suggests carefully removing small portions of time from other activities.

catch a break

Highlights receiving a fortunate opportunity or respite, often unexpectedly.

FAQs

How can I use "snatch time" in a sentence?

You can use "snatch time" to describe quickly taking advantage of a brief moment or opportunity. For example, "I managed to "snatch time" to finish the report before the deadline."

What can I say instead of "snatch time"?

You can use alternatives like "seize the moment", "make the most of time", or "grab a moment" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "snatch time" or "steal time"?

Both "snatch time" and "steal time" can be used, but "snatch time" implies a quicker, more opportunistic grab, while "steal time" suggests doing something against obligations or rules.

What's the difference between "snatch time" and "find time"?

"Snatch time" suggests quickly taking an available opportunity, while "find time" implies actively making or allocating time in a schedule.