To buy or take something quickly and eagerly, especially before others can.
To grab something really fast because you don't want to miss it or let someone else get it.
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
To buy something quickly, especially a bargain or limited item, before others have the chance.
"Shoppers snapped up all the half-price coats within an hour of the sale opening."
Fans snapped up tickets within minutes of them going on sale.
— BBC News, general reporting style (widely attested formulation in UK press)
To hire or recruit someone quickly and enthusiastically before a competitor can.
"Three tech companies tried to snap up the young engineer as soon as she graduated."
To accept an opportunity or offer immediately and eagerly.
"When they offered him a free trip to Tokyo, he snapped it up without hesitation."
To snap (bite or close sharply) while moving upward — like an animal catching food in its jaws.
To grab something really fast because you don't want to miss it or let someone else get it.
Very common in retail, real estate, and job-market contexts. Implies competition or scarcity. Also used for hiring talented people quickly.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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