Idioms

up for grabs

This page is about the idiom 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

a. his son will take over

b. anyone can try for the job

c. we won't have a new mayor
a) his son will take over b) anyone can try for the job c) we won't have a new mayor

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Common English Idioms

Contributor: Matt Errey