Up for grabs meaning in English
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Definition
(the job is) up for grabs: (the job is) available, (the job) has not yet been taken
to grab: to take (quickly), to snatch, to catch, to seize, to capture
Examples
- "Unfortunately, the gentleman I was planning to take with me is unable to attend, so his ticket is up for grabs!"
Exercise 1
"Luna, how does this idea grab you?"
From the list below, choose those sentences which use the term "grab" correctly.
There may be more than one correct answer!
From the list below, choose those sentences which use the term "grab" correctly.
There may be more than one correct answer!
"Luna, how does this idea grab you?"
From the list below, choose those sentences which use the term "grab" correctly.
There may be more than one correct answer!
From the list below, choose those sentences which use the term "grab" correctly.
There may be more than one correct answer!
This sentence uses "to grab" correctly, and is a very common use of the term. To "grab (at)" in this context is to seize or snatch suddenly, quickly, or insistently. Example: "The thief just grabbed my handbag off my shoulder!".
This is an incorrect use of the term "grab". This sentence could read "Could you give/pass that hat to me please?", and would then make sense.
This is a correct way to use the term "to grab". To "grab some lunch" or "grab a drink" is to eat or drink something quickly, often on the move. Example: "Let's grab a coffee before we go to work".
This is an idiomatic use of the term "grab". We say that something is "up for grabs" when it is available, or can be taken. Example: "The position of CEO of Microtosh is up for grabs".
Exercise 2
In his email, Brian uses the expression up for grabs.
From the list below, select the sentences which use grab correctly!
From the list below, select the sentences which use grab correctly!
In his email, Brian uses the expression up for grabs.
From the list below, select the sentences which use grab correctly!
From the list below, select the sentences which use grab correctly!
'Grab' is used correctly here. This is a literal use of the verb 'to grab', which means 'to seize' or 'to take with force'. Another example: 'Grab a chair and sit down!'.
This is correct. If something is 'up for grabs', then it is 'available' or 'can be obtained'. This is the expression used by Brian in his email to tell his colleagues that one of them can have a ticket to the ballet if they want it.
We cannot use the verb 'to grab' to introduce an activity already planned for the future. Instead, it would be more natural to say 'I have my first horse riding lesson this week'.
This sentence uses 'to grab' correctly. In this informal context, 'to grab (a drink, a sandwich)' means 'to get' or 'to go for (a drink, a sandwich)'. Here's another example: 'Shall we grab another beer before we go home? I'm not drunk enough'.
We can invite someone to 'grab' an item of food or drink, for example 'Let's grab a coffee before we get on the train'. However, we would not invite someone to 'grab' something which cannot be touched, like a conversation. 'To have' would be more natural than 'to grab' here.
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