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grab a bite — 2 meanings

One phrase, 2 different jobs. Tap a meaning to jump to it — then lock each one in by saying it out loud.

phrase2 meanings
  1. 1 eat something quicklyto eat a small or quick meal, usually because you're busy or short on time
  2. 2 get something quick to eatto get something to eat quickly, usually a small or casual meal
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1

eat something quickly

B1grab a bitespokeninformalMost common

to eat a small or quick meal, usually because you're busy or short on time

I've only got half an hour, so let's just grab a bite somewhere near the office.

We grabbed a bite at the station before the train.

I grabbed a bite between meetings. (ate quickly)
I took a proper lunch break. (sat down to eat)

Common mistake

✗I only had time to grab bite at lunch.

✓I only had time to grab a bite at lunch.

Keep the article: 'grab A bite'.

Tell it apart

I grabbed a bite between meetings.

ate quickly

I took a proper lunch break.

sat down to eat
Often expanded to 'grab a bite to eat'.Different from 'have a meal' — 'grab a bite' stresses eating fast because you're busy.
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2

get something quick to eat

B1grab a bitespokeninformal

to get something to eat quickly, usually a small or casual meal

Shall we grab a bite before the film?

I didn't have lunch, let me just grab a bite quickly.

We grabbed a bite at the airport. (a quick, casual meal)
We sat down to a big dinner. (a full, leisurely meal)

Common mistake

✗Let's grab a bit to eat.

✓Let's grab a bite to eat.

It's 'a bite' (a small amount of food), not 'a bit'.

Tell it apart

We grabbed a bite at the airport.

a quick, casual meal

We sat down to a big dinner.

a full, leisurely meal
Often extended to 'grab a bite to eat'. Sounds natural and relaxed.Not for a proper sit-down meal — for that use 'have dinner/lunch', not 'grab a bite'.
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eat something quicklyget something quick to eat