gazump

American  

[guh-zuhmp] / gəˈzʌmp /

verb (used with object)

1. to cheat (a house buyer) by raising the price, at the time a contract is to be signed, over the amount originally agreed upon.

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noun

1. an act of gazumping.

gazump British  

/ ɡəˈzʌmp /

verb

1. to raise the price of something, esp a house, after agreeing a price verbally with (an intending buyer)

2. (tr) to swindle or overcharge

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noun

1. the act or an instance of gazumping

Other Word Forms

• gazumper noun

Etymology

Origin of gazump

First recorded in 1925–30; earlier gazoomph to swindle, argot word of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

Veteran gossip columnist Andrew Hornery grumbled that Wilson had "opted to gazump" his story by sharing the news herself.

From BBC

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

“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

Hornery went on to criticise Wilson, saying she instead "opted to gazump the story", adding that "her choice to ignore our discreet, genuine and honest queries was, in our view, underwhelming".

From BBC

One dealership, Nuneaton Cars, said buyers were attempting to gazump each other to get hold of used cars already marked as sold.

From BBC