seize opportunity

Meaning

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   to act quickly and with energy when a good chance to do something appears.

   Grammar: Used as a verb phrase; it normally needs an article: seize the opportunity, seize an opportunity.

   Patterns

   • seize the opportunity to do something
   • seize an opportunity for something
   • seize every opportunity

   When the company offered her training in Tokyo, she seized the opportunity at once.

   Good salespeople seize every opportunity to learn what customers really want.

   He seized the opportunity to study abroad and never regretted it.

Common combinations

seize the opportunity to do something

She seized the opportunity to speak to the director after the meeting.

seize every opportunity

Seize every opportunity to practice your English.

a missed opportunity

Not applying for the scholarship was a missed opportunity.

seize the moment

The crowd was cheering, so the singer seized the moment and sang one more song.

Synonyms and how they differ

take advantage of

This is more neutral and often suggests using a situation for your own benefit, sometimes unfairly.

grab

More informal and physical in feel; you grab a chance quickly, often without much planning.

jump at

Used for accepting an offer eagerly: she jumped at the chance. It does not fit chances you create yourself.

Opposites

Word family

seizure noun

the act of taking something by force, or a sudden medical attack.

opportunist noun

a person who takes advantage of situations for personal gain, often disapproving.

opportunistic adjective

acting to gain an advantage from events, often without moral concern.

Commonly confused: seize opportunity or seize up? seize opportunity or sees?

Practice

Make it your own

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

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