English · Phrasal verb Attested

seize upon

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Also seen as: seize on

Sense 1

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

To grasp or take hold of (an object) suddenly, forcibly, or tightly.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Gắp hoặc nắm lấy một vật突然 hoặc mạnh mẽ

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

The child seized upon the cat's tail as soon as it was within reach.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

To take up, embrace, enact, or turn eagerly to (a plan, idea, ideology, cause, practice, method, etc.); to grasp, understand, and accept quickly; to adopt wholeheartedly or vigorously.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Chấp nhận, thực hiện một kế hoạch, ý tưởng, lý tưởng, nguyên nhân, phương pháp, v.v. một cách nhiệt tình

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

To take possession of or claim (an idea, person, event, etc.) as one's own; to assimilate, absorb, annex, co-opt.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Đồng hóa, chiếm hữu, tiếp quản một ý tưởng, người, sự kiện, v.v.

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “seize upon” mean?

To grasp or take hold of (an object) suddenly, forcibly, or tightly.

Is “seize upon” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.