snatching time

USAGE SUMMARY

"snatching time" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe the act of quickly taking or making use of time, often in a hurried or opportunistic manner. Example: "She was always snatching time to read between meetings." Alternative expressions include "grabbing time," "seizing time," and "taking time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 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

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

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

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

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

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

In the tiny, blinking glimpses of greedily snatched free time, you watch a burst Come Dine With Me instead of The Jinx, you read the headline of a magazine instead of City On Fire.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "snatching time" to convey a sense of urgency or making use of limited time in a busy schedule. For example, "She was always "snatching time" to read between meetings."

Common error

Avoid using "snatching time" in highly formal or academic writing. It can sound too informal or colloquial. Instead, opt for phrases like "utilizing available time" or "making efficient use of time".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "snatching time" functions as a gerund phrase, typically used as a noun. It describes the action of quickly taking or utilizing available time, often implying a hurried or opportunistic approach. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Books

25%

Sport

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "snatching time" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of quickly taking or making use of time, often in a rushed or opportunistic manner. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it's more appropriate for neutral to informal contexts. Semantically related alternatives include "grabbing a moment" and "squeezing in time". When writing, aim to use it to convey urgency or efficient use of limited time, avoiding overuse in formal writing. Despite its limited occurrence, it remains a useful expression for describing time management in everyday scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

squeezing in time

Implies fitting something into a tight schedule.

grabbing a moment

Focuses on the act of quickly seizing a brief opportunity.

stealing a moment

Conveys a sense of secretly or briefly taking time.

fitting time in

Focuses on integrating something within an existing schedule.

seizing an opportunity

Highlights the opportunistic nature of taking advantage of a situation.

carving out time

Suggests effort and determination in making time available.

making time quickly

Emphasizes the rapid creation or allocation of time.

liberating some time

Emphasizes freeing up time from other commitments.

finding a spare moment

Suggests discovering and utilizing a free instance.

clawing back time

Implies a struggle to regain lost time.

FAQs

What does "snatching time" mean?

"Snatching time" means quickly taking or making use of time, often in a hurried or opportunistic way, to do something.

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

You can use "snatching time" to describe fitting something into a busy schedule, like "He was "snatching time" between meetings to respond to emails".

What are some alternatives to "snatching time"?

You can use alternatives like "grabbing a moment", "seizing an opportunity", or "squeezing in time" depending on the specific context.

Is "snatching time" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "snatching time" may be too informal for formal writing. Consider using "utilizing available time" or "making efficient use of time" instead.