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snap up

B1 informal separable transitive
In simple words

To grab something really fast because you don't want to miss it or let someone else get it.

Literal meaning: To snap (bite or close sharply) while moving upward — like an animal catching food in its jaws.

Meanings

1 B1 informal

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)
Grammar: separable
2 B2 neutral

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."

Grammar: separable
3 B1 idiomatic informal

To accept an opportunity or offer immediately and eagerly.

"When they offered him a free trip to Tokyo, he snapped it up without hesitation."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Very common in retail, real estate, and job-market contexts. Implies competition or scarcity. Also used for hiring talented people quickly.

Commonly used with

bargain tickets deal offer talent property

Forms

Base
snap up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
snaps up
he/she/it
Past simple
snaped up
yesterday
Past participle
snaped up
have + pp
-ing form
snaping up
continuous

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Synonyms

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