ENGLISH
REFERENCE

grabs

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈɡɹæbz// UK //ɡɹˈæbz// grabs

n. something that is available for anyone to take or win. You usually hear this in the phrase 'up for grabs' when a prize or opportunity is open to everyone.

n. a state of being available for acquisition or competition. Almost exclusively used within the idiomatic prepositional phrase 'up for grabs' to indicate that an item or opportunity has no current owner or winner.


SIMPLE

There are several free tickets up for grabs today.

CONTEXTUAL

With the previous manager leaving so suddenly, the top position at the firm is now up for grabs.

COMPLEX

As the coalition government collapsed, several key cabinet positions were suddenly up for grabs, sparking a frantic period of internal lobbying and political maneuvering among the junior partners.

Synonyms
Usage

Primarily occurs in the plural form within the fixed idiom 'up for grabs'.

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