1
general::
Phrase(s): 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.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
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]
American Heritage Idioms