snag a seat

Meanings

1. 1phraseidiominformal

   To manage to get a seat, especially one that is wanted and not easy to obtain.

   Grammar: Takes an object: snag a seat, snag two seats. The verb snag is transitive here and the phrase is informal.

   Patterns

   • snag a seat
   • snag a seat for someone
   • snag a seat at something

   We arrived early and snagged a seat right by the window.

   She snagged a seat on the last flight out of the city.

   If you hurry, you can still snag a seat for the Friday show.

2. 2phraseidiominformal

   To succeed in getting a place on a course, team, or event that many people want.

   Grammar: Often used with on, in, or at: snag a seat on the committee; snag a seat in the class.

   Patterns

   • snag a seat on something
   • snag a seat in something

   He snagged a seat on the school board after a close vote.

   Only ten students snagged a seat in the advanced program.

Common combinations

snag a seat by the window

We got there first and snagged a seat by the window.

snag a seat on a flight

She snagged a seat on the morning flight before it sold out.

snag a front-row seat

Fans lined up overnight to snag a front-row seat.

manage to snag a seat

I managed to snag a seat just as the doors closed.

snag the last seat

He snagged the last seat in the lecture hall.

Synonyms and how they differ

get a seat

Neutral and plain; snag a seat adds the idea that seats were limited and you were lucky or quick.

grab a seat

Very close in meaning and also informal, but grab can sound more abrupt or physical.

secure a seat

More formal and often about reservations or official places, not a casual scramble for a chair.

Opposites

Word family

snag verb

Informal verb meaning to get something you want, often quickly or by luck.

Commonly confused: snag a seat or snag?

Practice

Make it your own

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

Explore more words