bear hug

¹ American  

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.

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bear-hug ² American  

[bair-huhg] / ˈbɛərˌhʌg /

verb (used with object)

bear-hugged, bear-hugging

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

   eager fans bear-hugging the victorious team.

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bear hug British  

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

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Etymology

Origin of bear hug¹

First recorded in 1920–25

Origin of bear-hug²

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

Our critic praised the star for “his admirable ability to give audiences a big bear hug without leaving the stage.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 15, 2026

Yvonne Carvalho, a 5-foot dynamo with oversize black glasses and purple MAC lipstick, greeted the nurse anesthesiologist with a bear hug and questions about her dating life and her daughter.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 10, 2025

Giant lineman JC Latham did not get the memo though as he gave Goodell a huge bear hug after being drafted by the Tennessee Titans.

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2024

Trainer pushed a 6-foot par putt to the right of the cup to end it, with Lowry lifting a laughing McIlroy off the ground with a bear hug on the green.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 28, 2024

Nettle pulled Roz into a fierce bear hug while Thorn clawed at her legs.

From "The Wild Robot" by Peter Brown