up for grabs
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up for grabs
1. Available to anyone; unclaimed. This last piece of cake is up for grabs—who wants it?
2. In a state of chaos. After the CEO's scandalous behavior was exposed, the whole company was up for grabs.
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.
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]
up for grabs
INFORMALCOMMON If something is up for grabs, it is available for anyone who is willing or able to compete for it. Thirty-five Senate seats are up for grabs in tomorrow's election. A £10,000 jackpot is still up for grabs over the next seven weeks in our super new numbers game.
up for grabs
available; obtainable. informalThis phrase was originally mid 20th-century US slang, relating especially to a woman who is open to sexual advances.
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.
up for grabs
Available for taking, implicitly by anyone. This colloquialism became popular, especially in America, from about 1950. The OED cites a Boston Globe sports item: “Right now every position [on the team] is up for grabs.”