clutch
[verb]
Synonyms: seize, catch, clasp, cling to, embrace, grab, grasp, grip, snatch

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Related Words: clench, clinch, gripe, cherish, harbor, hold, keep

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

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

I. clutch¹ /klʌtʃ/ verb
[Language: Old English; Origin: clyccan]

1. [transitive] to hold something tightly because you do not want to lose it Synonym : grip, grasp:
She was clutching a bottle of champagne.

2. [intransitive and transitive] (also clutch at somebody/something)
a) to suddenly take hold of someone or something because you are frightened, in pain, or in danger Synonym : grab:
He clutched at a pillar for support.
Tom fell to the ground clutching his stomach.
b) clutch at sb’s heart if something clutches at your heart, you suddenly feel fear or nervousness

3. be clutching at straws especially British English to be trying everything possible to find a solution or hope in a difficult situation, even though it will probably be unsuccessful:
I knew that trying the alternative medicine was just clutching at straws.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. clutch² noun
[Sense 1-2,4: Date: 1600-1700; Origin: ⇒ clutch¹]
[Sense 3: Date: 1700-1800; Origin: cletch 'clutch' (17-19 centuries), from cleck 'to hatch' (15-19 centuries), from Old Norse klekja]

1. [countable] the pedal that you press with your foot when driving a vehicle in order to change gear, or the part of the vehicle that this controls

2. sb’s clutches [plural] the power, influence, or control that someone has:
a small boy trying to escape from his mother’s clutches
in sb’s clutches
She’ll have him in her clutches soon enough.

3. clutch of something a small group of similar things:
a clutch of eggs (=the number of eggs laid by a bird at one time)
a clutch of young mothers

4. [singular] a tight hold that someone has on something Synonym : grip, grasp:
I shook myself free of her clutch.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

clutch
noun
I. sb/sth's clutches sb/sth's power/control
VERB + CLUTCH fall into She fell into the clutches of the rebel forces.
escape (from)
PREP. in sb's ~ They had him in their clutches.
out of sb's ~ Once she was out of their clutches, she fled across the border.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

clutch
II. in a car
VERB + CLUTCH drop, engage, put your foot on | disengage, let in/out, release, take your foot off Put it into first gear and let the clutch out slowly.
ride (= to keep in a state between full engagement and disengagement) The driver at the traffic lights was riding his clutch.
CLUTCH + VERB engage | disengage | slip
CLUTCH + NOUN pedal

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

clutch
verb
ADV. firmly, tightly | desperately
PREP. at He felt himself slipping and clutched at a branch.
PHRASES clutch sth in your hand She clutched her handbag tightly in one hand.
clutch sth to your chest She clutched the letter to her chest.

[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 ▲

clutch
̈ɪklʌtʃ
See: ride the brake

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲