buy up

verb

1. to purchase all, or all that is available, of (something)

2. commerce to purchase a controlling interest in (a company, etc), as by the acquisition of shares

Idioms and Phrases

Purchase all that is available, as in They want to buy up all the land in this area. This term was first recorded in a law enacted under Henry VIII: “They buy up all manner of fish.”

Example Sentences

Occupying the grey space between the enforcer and whatever Donald is up to is Tracy Letts’ Frank Martin, a local construction magnate buying up Black businesses at a clip that has tripped Lee’s internal alarm.

From Salon

The prime minister also managed to rig the system by permitting loyalists to buy up media companies, leaving virtually no outlet that isn’t essentially part of his coalition.

From Salon

While fashion conglomerates bought up other brands, Armani resisted external investment.

From BBC

“Whenever there’s a popular item, the owners who are a step ahead buy up all the stock so sometimes I can’t get any for my store,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

Over 1,100 works from Goudstikker's collection were bought up in a forced sale by senior Nazis after his death, including Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring.

From BBC

Related Words

• amass 
• collect 
• deposit 
• hide 
• pile up 
• stockpile