English Reference

Phrasal verb

buy up

Definition

phrasal verb. To buy all of something that is available, or as much as you can get. You use this when someone wants to own everything in a store or a market.

phrasal verb. To purchase the entire supply of something or as much as is available. Transitive; often implies a strategic or aggressive acquisition of assets or goods.

Examples

“The company wants to buy up all the small shops in town.”

“When the news of the shortage broke, people rushed to the supermarket to buy up all the bottled water.”

“Speculators began to buy up vast tracts of land in the developing district, anticipating a significant surge in property values once the new transit hub opened.”

Examples

simple

“The company wants to buy up all the small shops in town.”

contextual

“When the news of the shortage broke, people rushed to the supermarket to buy up all the bottled water.”

complex

“Speculators began to buy up vast tracts of land in the developing district, anticipating a significant surge in property values once the new transit hub opened.”

Usage

Usually takes a direct object, often plural nouns or uncountable nouns like 'land' or 'stock'.

Teaching tip

Contrast with 'buy'; 'buy up' emphasizes the quantity or the intent to leave nothing for others.

Pitfall

They bought up to all the tickets.

They bought up all the tickets.

The phrasal verb is transitive and takes the object directly without the preposition 'to'.

Phrasal verb

Particles

up

Separability

optional

Pattern

buy + up + object

Synonyms

purchaseacquiresnap upcorner the market

Antonyms

sell offliquidatedivest

Grammar

Phrasal verbs (introduction)

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Updated

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