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Glite Dictionary
to snap up

to snap up

14 3.7
Buy something quickly before other people do
  • phrasal verb
  • /snæp ʌp/
translation icon : hacerse con
  • As soon as the tickets went on sale, fans snapped up every last one.

They're in cars, home appliances, medical gear, automation systems, you name it, and there's a long line of companies ready to snap them up.

Examples

  • If you want to snap it up right away, you can have it for only $1,200.

    Fiction book (1994)

  • Plus, if they don't snap it up on that day, then they can't get it.

    Blog text (12)

  • Some people make money when being short or snap up advantages when they appear.

    Blog text (23)

  • And as for the prices, it's no wonder these houses are getting snapped up.

    Vivarium (2019)

  • In your place, I'd snap him up before some other lady takes a fancy to him.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • Now, of course, any number of couples would have snapped him up.

    Fiction book (1996)

  • Visitors from overseas would snap up just such a souvenir.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • The issue was eagerly snapped up by investors and three more share issues followed.

  • Not surprisingly, it is all being snapped up with tremendous speed by buyers from around the world.

    Blog text (14)

  • And he points out that they are snapped up by America's leading corporations as soon as they graduate.

    Academic text (2005)

Synonyms

to pick up
vsto snap up
∞ 2.5

To get something from a store or give someone a ride

implies urgent eager buying before others rather than casual collection
to grab
vsto snap up
∞ 1.0

To take hold of something quickly with your hand

is used for rapid purchase or acquisition before others, not only hand action
to snatch
vsto snap up
136 3.0

To take something quickly with your hand

focuses more on buying or obtaining items quickly before anyone else
to snatch up
vsto snap up
24 4.6

To grab something quickly, often before someone else

is about buying or taking items quickly before others with eagerness
to jump on
vsto snap up
23 4.3

To use an opportunity quickly

focuses on rapid buying or getting items before competitors rather than general advantage
to snaffle
vsto snap up
  • UK
8.5

To take something quickly often before others notice

refers to eager lawful buying or getting before others rather than theft
to snatch the opportunity
vsto snap up
3.9

To take a chance quickly before other people do

is about buying or getting items quickly rather than taking chances
to jump on the offer
vsto snap up
3.5

To accept an offer or chance quickly before someone else does

applies to swift purchase or acquisition before others, not only offers
to bounce on
vsto snap up
  • Informal
7.2

Act quickly to take an opportunity before others do

is specifically used for buying or obtaining items quickly ahead of others

Antonyms

to hesitate
318 2.5

To pause before saying or doing something because you feel unsure

to pass up
63 4.1

To choose not to accept a good offer or chance

How Quickly

to snap up
14 3.7
to grab
∞ 1.0
to buy
∞ 1.0
to pick up
∞ 2.5

Surface Forms

snap up infinitive
snapped up past
snapped up past participle
snapping up present participle
snaps up third person singular

Morphology

snap + up

The verb 'snap' (to snatch/seize suddenly) combined with the particle 'up' (movement toward/completion) transparently yields the sense 'snatch up' — to take quickly; in commercial contexts this readily maps to buying quickly. This verb+particle composition follows common, cross-linguistically supported patterns, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents will likely infer the meaning.

Etymology

Snap up may come from the image of quickly snapping something up with your fingers, a fast move to grab it before anyone else. That's why it now means 'to buy or take something quickly and eagerly'.