money grab

Meaning

1. 1nouncountableinformaldisapproving

   An action, product or policy that seems designed mainly to take as much money as possible from people, with little real benefit to them.

   Grammar: Usually countable, often with a: the new fee is a money grab.

   Patterns

   • a money grab by someone
   • something is a money grab

   Fans called the extra ticket fee a blatant money grab.

   The sequel felt like a money grab rather than a proper story.

   Critics say the new parking charge is nothing more than a money grab.

Word forms

Common combinations

a blatant money grab

The price rise looked like a blatant money grab.

a pure money grab

To many players, the update was a pure money grab.

accuse someone of a money grab

Parents accused the school of a money grab over the new fees.

dismiss as a money grab

Reviewers dismissed the remake as a money grab.

Synonyms and how they differ

cash grab

This is nearly identical, though it is a little more common for products and media.

rip-off

This focuses on poor value for the buyer, not on the seller's motive.

scam

This implies deception or fraud, which a money grab need not involve.

Word family

grab verb

to take something quickly and roughly

grabber noun

a person or thing that grabs

money noun

coins and notes used to buy things

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “money grab”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words