Buy Up – Meaning and Examples
Have you ever seen a store run out of a popular item—like concert tickets, holiday toys, or limited-edition sneakers—because someone bought them all? In English, we say they bought it up! This practical phrasal verb means to purchase large amounts of something, often quickly or completely, before others can get it.
What Does “Buy Up” Mean?
“Buy up” means to purchase all or most of a supply of something, usually quickly or in large quantities. Think of it like sweeping every item off a shelf—leaving nothing for anyone else. The phrase isn’t about casual shopping; it’s about aggressive or rapid purchasing, often for profit, scarcity, or urgency.
When to Use It
Use this phrase in casual or neutral conversations when talking about shopping, business, investments, or market trends. It’s common in news reports (“Investors bought up shares”), everyday chats (“He bought up all the discounted laptops”), or discussions about shortages. This phrasal verb is informal but widely understood—great for real-life English.
Example Sentences
- As soon as the sale started, they bought up all the concert tickets.
- During the crisis, people bought up toilet paper like it was gold.
- The company bought up smaller competitors to dominate the market.
- Don’t wait—someone will buy up the last units if you do!
Mini Dialogue
Alex: “I tried to get those sneakers, but they were gone in minutes!”
Jamie: “Yeah, a reseller bought them all up the second they dropped.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t use “buy up” for regular, small purchases. It only applies when someone buys a large portion or the entire supply—not just one or two items.
❌ Don’t say: “I bought up a coffee this morning.” (That’s just buying one.)
✅ Do say: “They bought up all the coffee beans before the price hike.”
Practice Tip
Next time you hear about a product selling out fast, say: “Someone must have bought it all up!” It’s a natural way to describe bulk buying in English.
Final Note
Now you can use “buy up” to talk about rapid, large-scale purchases with clarity and confidence! It’s a vivid phrase that captures the urgency of scarcity and demand. Keep using it—and may you always get your share before someone buys it all up!