snatch up

USAGE SUMMARY

"snatch up" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to grab or seize quickly. You can use it in various situations, such as: 1. The cat managed to snatch up the mouse before anyone could stop it. 2. The store was having a sale and customers were snatching up all the discounted items. 3. We need to snatch up this opportunity before it's too late. 4. The comedian was able to snatch up the audience's attention with just one joke. 5. The politician tried to snatch up as many votes as possible during the election campaign.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

In that case, firms would snatch up workers even if they couldn't use them particularly productively.

The Economist

A host can't just snatch up bits of rhetoric that look shiny in the Washington light.

The New Yorker

The I.B.'s would snatch up the best of these and resell them.

The New York Times - Travel

On Friday nights, chain-smoking 20-somethings snatch up these tables.

The New York Times - Style

But what to do about similar efforts to snatch up data?

The Guardian - Opinion

But established artists also know full well how willingly collectors will snatch up their informal drawings.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Russians are snatching up foreign-branded cars.

The New York Times

I snatched up the phone, excitedly.

The New York Times

He snatched up a product called WoundSeal.

The New York Times - Magazine

I snatched up two of them.

The New York Times

People started running, screaming, snatching up kids.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "snatch up" to convey a sense of urgency or opportunism when acquiring something. For example, "Investors are looking to "snatch up" undervalued assets."

Common error

While versatile, "snatch up" can sound informal. In formal writing, consider stronger alternatives like "acquire", "secure", or "obtain" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "snatch up" functions as a dynamic verb phrase, indicating a quick and decisive action of acquiring or seizing something. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

13%

Science

20%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "snatch up" is a common and versatile way to describe quickly acquiring something, often with a sense of urgency or opportunity. Ludwig AI confirms it as grammatically correct, and it's frequently used in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in register, more formal alternatives may be preferable in academic or business writing. Remember to use "snatch up" to emphasize the speed and efficiency of the acquisition, as in "Investors are looking to "snatch up" undervalued assets".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

snap up

Similar to "snatch up" but suggests eagerness and speed in acquiring something desirable.

grab

A simpler, more direct synonym emphasizing the action of taking something quickly.

seize

Implies a more forceful or decisive taking of something, often an opportunity.

pounce on

Suggests a sudden and decisive action to seize something, like an opportunity.

nab

Informal term for quickly grabbing or capturing something, often in a sneaky way.

acquire quickly

A more descriptive alternative that highlights the speed of acquisition.

capture

Focuses on gaining possession or control of something, sometimes with effort.

get one's hands on

Implies obtaining something, often something that is desired or scarce.

secure

Emphasizes making something safe and ensuring possession, often through proactive measures.

lay hold of

A more formal or old-fashioned way of saying to take or grab something.

FAQs

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

You can use "snatch up" to describe quickly acquiring something, like "Customers "snatch up" the discounted items as soon as they're available."

What does "snatch up" mean?

The phrase "snatch up" means to quickly grab or seize something, often implying a sense of urgency or competition. It suggests taking something before others can.

Which is correct, "snatch up" or "snatch"?

"Snatch" alone means to grab or seize, while "snatch up" often implies acquiring something completely or taking advantage of an opportunity. The better choice depends on the specific context of your sentence.

What are some alternatives to "snatch up"?

You can use alternatives like "grab", "seize", or "snap up", depending on the nuance you want to convey.