Phrasal verb
buy up
Meanings
To buy all or most of the available supply of something.
To purchase a large number of shares, properties, or items in order to gain control or ownership of them.
Definition
To buy up means to quickly buy all or most of something available, often to gain control of it.
When someone buys up something, they purchase all or a large amount of it, usually in a short time. This can happen with products in stores, tickets, or shares of a company. The idea is that very little is left for others because one person or group has bought most of the supply.
Examples
- I tried to buy up the last concert tickets, but they sold out in minutes.
- They decided to buy up the empty lots around the new station.
- She watched collectors buy up all the vintage cameras at the flea market.
- We had to arrive early because resellers often buy up the best seats.
- A large company moved in and began to buy up local brands.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse "buy up" with "buy" and forget it implies buying most or all of what is available, not just purchasing one item.
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.