snatched up

USAGE SUMMARY

"snatched up" is correct and usable in written English.
The phrase is usually used to indicate that something has been taken or collected quickly. For example, "The little girl snatched up all of the candy before anyone else could get any."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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

Most of them were snatched up, even argued over.

The Washington Post

Dozens of peddlers snatched up their merchandise and ran off.

The New York Times - Magazine

EMI too has snatched up catalogues whenever it can.

The New York Times

He rapidly crossed the room and snatched up the receiver.

The New York Times - Magazine

It snatched up cars and couches, family photos and farm animals.

The New York Times

They were all terrified I was going to get snatched up in the street.

The New York Times

He snatched up the fish, and in his hand the fish started to struggle.

The New Yorker

But first he reached back toward a table — and snatched up his pack of smokes.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "snatched up" to vividly describe something being taken or acquired quickly and eagerly, especially when emphasizing the speed or competition involved.

Common error

Avoid using "snatched up" in overly passive sentences where the actor is unclear. Ensure it's clear who or what is doing the snatching to maintain clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "snatched up" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, indicating a quick and often eager acquisition or taking of something. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples showing its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "snatched up" is a commonly used phrasal verb that describes the act of quickly and eagerly acquiring something. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While suitable for neutral registers, writers should ensure its usage clarifies the actor to avoid passive voice ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "grabbed quickly" or "snapped up" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

snapped up

Synonymous, with a slightly more informal tone.

grabbed quickly

Focuses on the speed of the action.

quickly acquired

Emphasizes the act of gaining possession rapidly.

eagerly seized

Highlights the enthusiasm in taking something.

swiftly taken

Stresses the promptness of the taking.

claimed rapidly

Highlights the act of asserting ownership quickly.

laid hold of

A more formal way of expressing taking possession.

secured swiftly

Emphasizes the act of making something secure with speed.

taken possession of quickly

A more detailed version of acquiring something fast.

intercepted rapidly

Implies preventing someone else from getting it first.

FAQs

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

You can use "snatched up" to describe quickly acquiring something, for example, "The tickets were "snapped up" within minutes of going on sale."

What's a synonym for "snatched up"?

A synonym for "snatched up" is "grabbed quickly", which also conveys the idea of taking something rapidly.

Is it correct to say "was snatched up"?

Yes, "was snatched up" is a correct passive form, often used when the focus is on the object being taken, rather than the taker: "The opportunity was "snatched up" before I even had a chance to consider it."

What is the difference between "snatched up" and "picked up"?

"Snatched up" implies a quick, and sometimes opportunistic, taking. "Picked up" is more general and does not necessarily imply speed or eagerness. You might say someone "picked up" a book, but "snatched up" implies they were eager or quick to get it.