bear hug

¹

noun

1. a strong, tight embrace:

   My father gave me a big bear hug as soon as I stepped out of the taxi.

2. Wrestling. a hold in which one contestant locks both arms around the other in order to make the opponent fall to the mat.

bear-hug

²

[ bair-huhg ]

verb (used with object)

, bear-hugged, bear-hug·ging.

1. to greet with or hold in a bear hug:

   eager fans bear-hugging the victorious team.

bear hug

noun

1. a wrestling hold in which the arms are locked tightly round an opponent's chest and arms
2. any similar tight embrace
3. commerce an approach to the board of one company by another to indicate that an offer is to be made for their shares

Word History and Origins

Origin of bear hug¹

First recorded in 1920–25

Origin of bear hug²

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

Where many plush slippers tend to feel like clown shoes, these fit snugly, like a bear hug for your feet.

From Outside Online

Go big with a large massage chair that feels like a bear hug, or keep it simple with a heated massage recliner disguised as a typical piece of living room furniture.

From Popular-Science

One plaintiff, William Jarta Hall, says he was on Bladensburg Road NE on a fall afternoon in 2015 when Onoja pulled up on his bicycle, wrapped him in a bear hug and threw him down on the sidewalk.

From Washington Post

When he came on set he would pick up every woman and give them a big bear hug in the morning.

From The Daily Beast

Bonus: BFF Billy Crystal, who hosted that year, giving Williams a big bear hug as he exited, trophy in hand, to the wings.

From The Daily Beast

Then Cathy sweeps Cannistraci literally off her feet in a bear hug.

From The Daily Beast

Pull your lover close for a bear hug in the middle of a passionate kiss.

From The Daily Beast

As he reached for it, the feared Soviet leader gave Susskind a playful bear hug.

From The Daily Beast

Away went Marjorie, after bestowing another tumultuous bear-hug on her mother.

From Project Gutenberg

Dear Davy, I wish you were here to-night, to catch me up in that great bear hug of yours.

From Project Gutenberg

If Charles stepped inside it, the man would grab him in a bear hug and knife him in the back.

From Project Gutenberg

"You know we care to go," laughed Mary Jane and she jumped up and gave him a big bear hug.

From Project Gutenberg

A great, happy "bear-hug" almost choked him, as Phil's arms were clasped about his neck.

From Project Gutenberg