grip
(Informal)
[noun]
Synonyms:
- clasp, hold
- control, clutches, domination, influence, possession, power
- understanding, command, comprehension, grasp, mastery
[verb]
Synonyms:
- grasp, clasp, clutch, hold, seize, take hold of
- engross, absorb, enthral, entrance, fascinate, hold, mesmerize, rivet

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Related Words: coercion, constraint, duress, restraint

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English Thesaurus: hold, grip, clutch, clasp, get/take hold of something, ...

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

I. grip¹ /ɡrɪp/ noun

1. FIRM HOLD [countable usually singular] the way you hold something tightly, or your ability to do this:
Hold the microphone in a firm grip and keep it still.
She felt her wrist caught in a vice-like grip.
Don’t loosen your grip on the rope or you’ll fall.
He released his grip and stepped back.

2. POWER [singular] power and control over someone or something
have/keep a grip on something
Stalin’s determination to keep an iron grip on Eastern Europe
tighten/loosen/relax your grip (on something)
By 1979 South Africa was tightening its grip on Namibia.
tight/firm/strong/iron etc grip
The recession could be avoided if business keeps a firm grip on its costs.

3. UNDERSTANDING [singular] an understanding of something
have/get a grip on something
I’m just trying to get a grip on what’s happening.
She was losing her grip on reality.

4. come/get to grips with something to understand or deal with something difficult:
I’ve never really got to grips with this new technology.

5. lose your grip to become less confident and less able to deal with a situation:
I don’t know what’s the matter; I think I’m losing my grip.

6. get/take a grip on yourself to start to improve your behaviour or control your emotions when you have been very upset:
Stop being hysterical and get a grip on yourself.

7. get a grip spoken used in order to tell someone to control their emotions:
For God’s sake get a grip!

8. be in the grip of something to be experiencing a very unpleasant situation that cannot be controlled or stopped:
a country in the grip of famine

9. STOP SOMETHING SLIPPING
a) [countable] a special part of a handle that has a rough surface so that you can hold it firmly without it slipping:
My racquet needs a new grip.
b) [singular, uncountable] the ability of something to stay on a surface without slipping:
boots which give a good grip

10. FOR HAIR [countable] British English a hairgrip

11. CAMERAMAN [countable] technical someone whose job is to move the cameras around while a television show or film is being made

12. BAG [countable] old-fashioned a bag or case used for travelling

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. grip² verb (past tense and past participle gripped, present participle gripping)
[Language: Old English; Origin: grippan]

1. HOLD TIGHTLY [transitive] to hold something very tightly:
I gripped the rail and tried not to look down.
grip something tightly/firmly
The woman moved closer to Beth, gripping her arm tightly.

2. HAVE A STRONG EFFECT [transitive] to have a strong effect on someone or something:
a country gripped by economic problems
Panic suddenly gripped me when it was my turn to speak.

3. INTEREST SOMEBODY [transitive] to hold someone’s attention and interest:
a story that really grips you

4. NOT SLIP [intransitive and transitive] if something grips a surface, it stays on it without slipping:
Radial tires grip the road well.
⇒ gripping

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

grip
noun
I. hold on sth
ADJ. firm, good, secure, strong, tight | cruel, crushing, fierce, iron, painful, punishing, vice-like Her upper arms were seized in an iron grip.
restraining
VERB + GRIP have He still had a firm grip on my arm.
get, take Taking a tight grip on the hook, he began to pull it towards himself.
keep Keep a secure grip on the rope at all times.
lose She slipped and lost her grip of the rope.
tighten Robert tightened his grip on her shoulder.
loosen, relax, release, slacken
GRIP + VERB tighten | loosen, relax, slacken His grip slackened and she tore herself away.
PREP. in a/sb's ~ Hold the microphone in a firm grip. She was powerless in his vice-like grip.
~ on She relaxed her grip on the door frame.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

grip
II. power/control
ADJ. firm, iron, powerful, strong, tight, vice-like
VERB + GRIP have The Church does not have a strong grip on the population.
get, take The government needs to get a grip on this problem. (informal) Get a grip! (= take control of yourself, your life, etc.) | keep We need to keep a tight grip on costs.
strengthen, tighten They managed to strengthen their grip on the southern part of the country.
lose (informal) Sometimes I feel I'm losing my grip (= losing control of my life, etc.)
PREP. in sth's ~ Winter still held them in its iron grip. a country in the grip of recession
~ on The government does not seem to have a very firm grip on the economy.
PHRASES come/get to grips with sth (= to begin to take control of sth or understand sth difficult) I'm slowly getting to grips with the language.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

grip
verb
ADV. firmly, hard, tightly | gently, lightly
PREP. at She gripped hard at the arms of her chair.
by He gripped her gently by the shoulders.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

grip

a firm/tight grip
The streets were crowded and she kept a tight grip on her bag.
a strong grip
Maggie took the boy's arm in a strong grip.
a good grip (=a grip with which you can keep hold of something)
The rocks were wet and slippery and it was difficult to get a good grip.
an iron/vice-like grip (=a very strong grip)
Victor took hold of her wrist in an iron grip.
have a grip
You need to have a good grip on your tennis racket.
get a grip (=hold something that is hard to hold firmly)
I got a good grip on the rope and pulled myself up.
take a grip
Mitch took a firm grip on her arm.
tighten your grip/your grip tightens (=hold something more tightly)
She tightened her grip on her son’s hand.
loosen/relax your grip (=hold something less tightly)
Lee loosened his grip on the dog’s collar.
release your grip (=let go of something)
The guard released his grip on the prisoner and pushed him into the cell.
lose your grip (=accidentally let go of something)
He shoved Higgins out of the way without losing his grip on the gun.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

hold to have something in your hand, hands, or arms:
Maria came in holding a letter.
Can I hold the baby?
grip to hold something very tightly and not let it go:
He gripped her arm so she couldn’t walk away.
Jenny gripped the side of the boat to steady herself.
clutch to hold something tightly, especially because you do not want to drop or lose it:
A businessman hurried past, clutching his briefcase.
The little girl clutched onto his hand.
clasp written to hold someone or something tightly, closing your fingers or arms around them:
She was clasping a bunch of small summer flowers.
He clasped her in his arms and kissed her.
get/take hold of something to take something in your hand or hands and hold it:
I took hold of the handle and pulled as hard as I could.
Quickly – try and get hold of that frog!
grasp written to take hold of something firmly, especially in a determined way:
She grasped the lowest branch and pulled herself up into the tree.
grab to take hold of something suddenly and often violently:
He grabbed my bag and ran off with it.
The other man grabbed hold of (=suddenly took hold of ) my arms and threatened me with a knife.
seize /siːz/ written to take hold of something suddenly and often violently:
A police officer ran after him and seized the gun.
hang on (to something) to hold on to something or someone tightly to support yourself:
He hung on to the rail at the back of the motorbike.
Hang on tight!
keep hold of something to continue to hold something:
Greg was struggling to keep hold of the dog.
She tried to take her hand away but he kept hold of it.
a tight/firm hold
Rose had a tight hold of her hand.
tighten your hold
Maria winced as Luke tightened his hold on her fingers.
loosen/relax your hold
Laughing, he loosened his hold until she could pull her arms free.
release your hold (=stop holding something)
As soon as his fingers released their hold, Robyn turned and ran.
catch/grab/seize etc hold of something (=start holding something quickly and firmly)
She grabbed hold of the letter and tore it open.
have hold of something (=be holding something)
Nathan had hold of her hand again.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

grip
̈ɪɡrɪp
See: come to grips with , lose one's grip

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲