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bid for meaning and examples

2025-09-12

Meaning

  • Bid for means to make an offer, proposal, or attempt to gain something, usually in a competitive situation such as an auction, contract, or opportunity.
  • It can also mean to strive to win attention, support, or control.

Grammar and Usage

  • Pattern: bid for + noun

  • Part of speech: phrasal verb (transitive/intransitive depending on context).

  • Usage:

    • Transitive: “They bid for the contract.” (take an object)
    • Intransitive: “Several companies are bidding for the same project.” (no direct object, implied competition)

Common Phrases

  • bid for attention – attempt to attract notice.
  • bid for power – try to gain political or organizational control.
  • bid for a contract – submit an official offer in business.
  • bid for support – try to gain backing from others.

Collocations

  • verb + bid for → make a bid for, submit a bid for
  • noun + bid for → a bid for control, a bid for power, a bid for the presidency
  • adjective + bid for → successful bid for, failed bid for, strong bid for

Examples

  1. The company made a bid for the government contract.
  2. Several firms are bidding for the opportunity to build the new stadium.
  3. His speech was clearly a bid for public support.
  4. The politician launched a bid for leadership of the party.
  5. They submitted the lowest bid for the project.
  6. She is constantly making a bid for attention in class.
  7. Their failed bid for control left them with financial losses.
  8. The startup placed a bid for funding during the pitch contest.
  • compete for
  • vie for
  • make an offer for
  • strive for
  • attempt to gain

Antonym

  • withdraw from
  • decline to compete
  • give up on