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3. up for grabs

up for grabs

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up for grabs

 

1. Fig. available for anyone; not yet claimed. The election is up for grabs. Everything is still very chancy. I don't know who will get the promotion. It's up for grabs.

2. Fig. in total chaos. This is a madhouse. The whole place is up for grabs. When the market crashed, the whole office was up for grabs.

See also: grab, up

up for grabs

available to anyone who wants to compete for it The state's senate seat will be up for grabs in the next election.

See also: grab, up

up for grabs

  (informal)

if something is up for grabs, it is available to anyone who wants to compete for it We've got $1000 up for grabs in our new quiz. All you have to do is call this number.

See also: grab, up

up for grabs

Available to anyone, as in Now that he's resigned, his job is up for grabs. This term alludes to something being thrown in the air for anyone to grasp or catch. [Colloquial; 1920s]

See also: grab, up

up for grabs

1. mod. available for anyone; not yet claimed. I don’t know who will get it. It’s up for grabs.

2. mod. in total chaos. When the market crashed, the whole office was up for grabs.

See also: grab, up