Meaning
"Seize on" means to take eager or immediate advantage of something, especially an idea, comment, opportunity, or situation. It often implies using it quickly, sometimes too eagerly, for one’s own benefit.
Grammar and Usage
- Part of speech: Phrasal verb
- Structure: seize on + noun
- Used when someone quickly notices and makes use of something, often in discussions, arguments, or opportunities.
- Similar to "jump on" in certain contexts.
Variations
- Seize upon: a slightly more formal version, meaning the same.
Common Phrases
- seize on an opportunity
- seize on a remark
- seize on a mistake
- seize on an idea
Collocations
- verb + seize on: quickly seize on, eagerly seize on
- noun + seize on: seize on comments, seize on issues, seize on flaws
Examples
- The media seized on his careless remark and made it headline news.
- Investors seized on the chance to buy stocks at a lower price.
- She seized on his mistake to prove her point in the debate.
- Politicians often seize on public fears to gain support.
- The company seized on the new technology to improve efficiency.
- The critics seized on a single scene to dismiss the entire film.
- The teacher seized on the student’s question as a chance to explain further.
- Competitors seized on the error in the report to undermine the project.
Synonyms or Related
- jump on
- latch onto
- take advantage of
- exploit
- capitalize on
Antonym
- overlook
- ignore
- dismiss
- pass over