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to seize the opportunity

to seize the opportunity

10 3.9
Act quickly to use a good chance
  • idiom
  • /siːz ði ˌɒpərˈtjuːnɪti/
translation icon : aprovechar la oportunidad
  • When she was offered a scholarship, she knew she had to seize the opportunity and apply immediately.
  • seize the opportunities available

Communist groups also join in, seizing the opportunity to help start the class war.

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Examples

  • Each made their strongest case for how to seize the opportunities and address the threats now on the horizon.

  • Immediately, John Redmond seizes the opportunity.

  • Now is the time to seize the opportunity ... ... and create something.

  • The challenge to music teachers is to seize the opportunity.

    Academic text (1994)
  • Driven by the desire to increase profits, foreign investors seized the opportunity.

    Academic text (2001)
  • Most critically, Kenyans must seize the opportunities now available.

    Academic text (2009)
  • And I encourage you all to reach out and carpe diem, really seize the opportunities that are in front of you.

  • But the men then in charge in Washington were too parochial and insular to seize the opportunity.

    Academic text (2011)
  • But I do think they need to forcefully and enthusiastically seize the opportunity to help their constituents.

    Blog text (7)
  • Ozal quickly seized the opportunity to fully ally himself with the anti-Iraq coalition.

    Academic text (1992)

Synonyms

to take advantage of
vsto seize the opportunity
465 2.5

Use someone's trust or weakness to get something unfairly

is quick action to use a chance for benefit, not to exploit others
to exploit
vsto seize the opportunity
95 4.1

To use resources or chances well to get a good result

is quick action to use a chance immediately, not long term resource use
to cash in on
vsto seize the opportunity
30 4.4

Get money or other benefits from a situation, often unfairly

is quick action to benefit from a chance without implying selfish motive
to jump on
vsto seize the opportunity
23 4.3

To use an opportunity quickly

is the same quick response but applies to any arising chance
to seize on
vsto seize the opportunity
19 5.3

To quickly use an idea or chance to get an advantage

is broader quick action that applies to any arising chance, not only ideas
to make hay
vsto seize the opportunity
  • Informal
5 6.6

To use a good chance to get an advantage

is quick acting for any chance, not focused only on favorable conditions
to take one's chance
vsto seize the opportunity
  • Informal
4 4.2

Try a risky action hoping it will work

is quick action to benefit from a chance, not necessarily risking failure
to strike while the iron is hot
vsto seize the opportunity
  • Informal
3 4.7

Do something quickly to use a good chance before it ends

is similar but focuses on using short lived favorable conditions
to make hay while the sun shines
vsto seize the opportunity
  • Informal
1 5.8

Act while a good chance is still there

is quick action for single arising chances, not only when conditions stay good
to snatch the opportunity
vsto seize the opportunity
3.9

To take a chance quickly before other people do

is quick acting but not necessarily eager or forceful
to jump on the offer
vsto seize the opportunity
3.5

To accept an offer or chance quickly before someone else does

is quick action for any chance, not only replies to proposals
to take time by the forelock
vsto seize the opportunity
  • Archaic
9.9

Act quickly to grab an opportunity before it is lost

is everyday quick action, without the archaic expression or imagery
to bounce on
vsto seize the opportunity
  • Informal
7.2

Act quickly to take an opportunity before others do

is quick action without the added idea of beating others to it
to catch a wave
vsto seize the opportunity
  • Informal
6.9

To use a rising trend or new interest to grow quickly

is quick action for any chance, not limited to riding trends
to take occasion
vsto seize the opportunity
  • Formal
7.4

Use an opportunity to do something at a suitable time

is immediate quick action for sudden chances, not waiting for suitable timing

Antonyms

256 3.8

Fail to care for someone or something you should look after

158 1.3

To be without something needed or expected

How Eager

to seize the opportunity
10 3.9
to consider
1.1
to hesitate
318 2.5
to pass up
63 4.1

Surface Forms

seized the opportunity past participle
seizing the opportunity present participle
seizes the opportunity third person singular

Morphology

seize + the + opportunity

The meaning 'to take quick action to make use of a chance' is directly and predictably built from 'seize' (to take hold of/take) + 'opportunity' (a chance); the verb + noun composition maps transparently onto the idiomatic sense. This compositional pattern and similar equivalents in many languages make the phrase immediately understandable to a B1 learner who already knows the constituents.

Etymology

Seize the opportunity shows a clear image: seize means to grab quickly and an opportunity is like a small open door that might close. One popular image is someone jumping through that door before it shuts, so seize the opportunity means 'take quick action to use a chance'.