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buy up

B2 neutral separable transitive
In simple words

Buy as much of something as you can, so there is little or none left for others.

Literal meaning: To buy upward — consuming the entire available supply.

Meanings

1 B2 neutral

To purchase all or nearly all of a commodity, asset, or supply that is available, often to control the market.

"Speculators bought up most of the available farmland before the new road was announced."

""Investors have been buying up property across the city, pushing prices beyond the reach of local families.""

— The Times, 2021
Grammar: separable
2 B1 neutral

To purchase large quantities of goods, especially during a shortage or before a price rise.

"People bought up all the bottled water in the supermarket as soon as the storm warning was issued."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Often carries a negative connotation of hoarding or monopolising. Frequently used in news reports about property markets, shares, or scarce goods.

Commonly used with

land shares stock tickets property supplies

Forms

Base
buy up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
buys up
he/she/it
Past simple
bought up
yesterday
Past participle
bought up
have + pp
-ing form
buying up
continuous

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Synonyms

corner the market on stockpile hoard acquire in bulk snap up mop up

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