we grabbed lunch

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we grabbed lunch" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a casual or informal meal taken during the day, often implying a quick or spontaneous decision. Example: "After the meeting, we grabbed lunch at the new café down the street."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"We grabbed lunch," she says.

The New Yorker

Afterward, we grabbed lunch at Il Nostro Mondo, a restaurant in town recommended by our wine guide.

The New York Times - Travel

We grabbed lunch at the Green Boley, an open-air bar where the conch roti — curried gastropod and potatoes wrapped in flatbread — was the best I've ever had (15 E.C. dollars), and at Maria's French Terrace, an airy second-floor restaurant with free Wi-Fi where the slablike fish sandwich (a slab of tuna the day I had it) cost 22 E.C. dollars.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

A bit dizzy, we stumbled out of the spa — it felt as if we had both just climbed out of Willie Nelson's bong — and Ms. Sher suggested that we grab lunch at a nearby diner.

The New York Times

After leaving Darwin bright and early, we grab lunch of burgers (buffalo, beef, barramundi were all tasted – go the buffalo) at the incredibly kitsch Bark Hut Inn on the Arnhem highway.

The Guardian - Travel

On today's episode of Daily VICE, we grab lunch with comedian Hannibal Buress to talk about stand-up and his new Netflix special, Comedy Camisado.

Vice

We went for a bike ride along Venice Beach and then grabbed lunch.

Huffington Post

On Thursday, Mr. Boies grabbed lunch in a restaurant beneath the Manhattan offices of Tyco on West 57th Street.

The New York Times

On Saturday, the two actors grabbed lunch at Soho House in Los Angeles and eyewitnesses told Us Weekly they couldn't keep their hands off each other.

Huffington Post

Let's take your car because it has more room and you have better music... ~And we can grab lunch on our way out there.

Huffington Post

Sadly, we didn't have time to go and see my favorite plane at the museum, Concorde Alpha-Delta, (although we did get to look down on her from the Flight Deck), because we had to grab lunch.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we grabbed lunch" to convey a sense of informality and speed. It's suitable for casual conversations and narratives where the meal was a quick break rather than a formal occasion.

Common error

Avoid using "grabbed lunch" in formal writing or professional communications. Opt for more neutral phrases like "had lunch" or "attended a luncheon" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we grabbed lunch" functions as a narrative expression describing a past event. It conveys the action of having lunch in a somewhat informal and quick manner. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which deems the phrase correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we grabbed lunch" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression for describing a casual midday meal. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, though it leans towards the informal side. While perfectly acceptable in news articles and everyday conversation, it's wise to opt for more formal alternatives like "we had lunch" or "we lunched" in professional settings. Remember that "grabbed" suggests a quick and easy meal, so consider the tone you wish to convey when choosing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we had lunch

More general term; implies a less hurried or casual meal.

we ate lunch

Simple and direct alternative with no implication of speed or informality.

we lunched

Slightly more formal or old-fashioned way of saying "we had lunch".

we took lunch

Similar in meaning but less common; may imply a packed lunch.

we got some lunch

Indicates obtaining lunch, but is slightly less specific than "we grabbed lunch".

we went for lunch

Emphasizes the act of going somewhere to have lunch.

we stopped for lunch

Highlights the break taken to eat lunch.

we picked up lunch

Implies acquiring lunch, possibly as takeout.

we shared lunch

Focuses on the shared aspect of the lunch experience.

we enjoyed lunch

Emphasizes the positive experience of having lunch.

FAQs

What's a more formal alternative to "we grabbed lunch"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "we had lunch", "we attended a luncheon", or "we dined". These options convey the same basic information but with a more refined tone.

Is it appropriate to use "we grabbed lunch" in business correspondence?

While "we grabbed lunch" is acceptable in casual conversation, it's generally better to use more formal language in business correspondence. Consider alternatives such as "we had lunch" or "we met for lunch".

What does "grabbed" imply in the phrase "we grabbed lunch"?

"Grabbed" suggests a quick and informal meal, often taken on the go or during a brief break. It implies less formality than simply saying "we had lunch".

Can I use "we grabbed lunch" when referring to a scheduled lunch meeting?

While not incorrect, using "we grabbed lunch" for a scheduled lunch meeting might understate the formality of the occasion. A phrase like "we had a scheduled lunch meeting" might be more appropriate.