Skip to Content
English Club : Learn English : Vocabulary
Vocabulary : Idioms : U : up for grabs

< Previous | Next >

up for grabs Informal

Meaning: If something is up for grabs, it's available for anyone who wants to try to get it.

For example:

  • Do you remember when all the best website URLs were still up for grabs? Anyone could get one just by being the first person to claim it.

  • There are some great prizes up for grabs in their latest competition.

Origin: Possibly related to the idea of someone throwing a lot of banknotes into the air, and many people reaching up trying to grab them. As such, the banknotes are "up for grabs".

Quick Quiz:

The old mayor has retired so the position is up for grabs and
  1. his son will take over
  2. anyone can try for the job
  3. we won't have a new mayor

Discuss: up for grabs

Idiom of the Day

This entry is in the following categories: