gazump
Americanverb (used with object)
noun
verb
-
to raise the price of something, esp a house, after agreeing a price verbally with (an intending buyer)
-
(tr) to swindle or overcharge
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of gazump
First recorded in 1925–30; earlier gazoomph to swindle, argot word of uncertain origin
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A contractual issue regarding deferred wages has been the main reason reported for the hold-up on the deal and now big-spending Chelsea are hovering to gazump United.
From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2022
He added that instead of responding, Wilson “opted to gazump the story” by announcing on Instagram that she is dating Agruma ahead of the paper’s publication — a decision Hornery called “underwhelming.”
From Washington Post ● Jun. 13, 2022
“Big mistake,” Mr. Hornery said in the deleted column, adding that Ms. Wilson “opted to gazump the story” by revealing her relationship on Instagram first.
From New York Times ● Jun. 13, 2022
A film about an underground ant colony, it seemed to gazump rival feature "A Bug's Life," which would appear in cinemas only a month later.
From Salon ● May 1, 2021
There was a failed last-ditch bid to gazump United’s move for Dimitar Berbatov.
From The Guardian ● Nov. 9, 2018
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
