corner the market

present singular third person corners the market · participle present cornering the market · participle past cornered the market · past cornered the market

1. idiomaticbusinessTo monopolize a resource or commodity, as with the intent of driving up prices.

   1 more example

   "Why, there ain't going to be any wheat left in Chicago by May! If I get in now and buy a long line of cash wheat, where are all these fellows who've sold short going to get it to deliver to me?" . . . Jadwin sprang forward, gripping the broker by the shoulder. "Sam," he shouted, ". . . we can corner the market!"

   1903, Frank Norris, chapter 7, in The Pit

2. broadlyidiomaticTo have exclusive possession; to possess something to a high or excessive degree.

   It will not do to say that the Irish have a monopoly on stupidity, yet there have been times when I thought they nearly cornered the market.

   1916, Elbert Hubbard, “Vol. 12: Great Scientists-John Tyndall”, in Little Journeys