was promptly grabbed up

[thetazuo]

Then, while the publisher rushed to produce more copies of that, he gave Alcott the go-ahead to write a second, concluding part. It, too, was promptly grabbed up. Since then, “Little Women” has never been out of print.

Excerpt From
New Yorker Magazine [Aug 20]

Hi. Does the bold part mean “became popular”?
Thank you.

 

[lingobingo]

“Grab up” is not a usual term (in BE anyway). I would paraphrase it as “eagerly taken up” or “seized with relish”.

 

[thetazuo]

“Grab up” is not a usual term (in BE anyway). I would paraphrase it as “eagerly taken up” or “seized with relish”.

Thank you. Do you mean “eagerly lifted” by “eagerly taken up”?

 

[lingobingo]

No. To take something up, in this sense, is to accept it.

 

[Archilochus]

It means it was rapidly sold when it was first published.

 

[kentix]

It means it was rapidly sold when it was first published.

Yes, it's not normal terminology but that's what it means. A more usual way to say that in American English is "snapped up", to refer to something that sells very quickly.

 

[lingobingo]

A more usual way to say that in American English is "snapped up", to refer to something that sells very quickly.

Aha! That’s the term I was trying (and failing) to think of. Exactly the same in BE.

 

[thetazuo]

Thank you all. I see.