clutch

[ kluhch ]

/ klʌtʃ /

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See synonyms for: clutch / clutched / clutches / clutching on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to seize with or as with the hands or claws; snatch: The bird swooped down and clutched its prey with its claws.

to grip or hold tightly or firmly: She clutched the child's hand as they crossed the street.

Slang. to spellbind; grip (a person) emotionally; hold the attention, or interest of: Garbo movies really clutch me.

verb (used without object)

to try to seize or grasp (usually followed by at): He clutched at the fleeing child. She clutched at the opportunity.

Slang. to become tense with fright; panic (sometimes followed by up): I clutched up on the math exam.

to operate the clutch in a vehicle.

noun

the hand, claw, etc., when grasping.

Usually clutches . power of disposal or control; mastery: She fell into the clutches of the enemy.

the act of clutching; a snatch or grasp.

a tight grip or hold.

a device for gripping something.

Automotive, Machinery.

a mechanism for readily engaging or disengaging a shaft with or from another shaft or rotating part.Compare coupling (def. 2a).
a control, as a pedal, for operating this mechanism.

Sports. an extremely important or crucial moment of a game: He was famous for his coolness in pitching in the clutch.

any critical position or situation; emergency: She kept complete control in the clutch.

Also called clutch bag, clutch purse . a small purse that can be carried in the hand and usually has no handle or strap.

adjective

done or accomplished in a critical situation: He sank a clutch shot that won the basketball game.Without a couple of clutch heals, we would've had a party wipe in that dungeon.

dependable in crucial situations: a clutch player.

accomplished at the last possible moment or against the odds: Phew! That was a clutch win!

of or relating to a person, especially a player, who delivers under difficult conditions or at a crucial moment: Their quarterback is showing his clutch gene this season.

(of a coat) without fasteners; held closed in front by one's hand or arm.

interjection

(used to celebrate something that is found or is available fortuitously, at just the right moment): When my phone died, the guy at the next table loaned me his charger. Clutch!

OTHER WORDS FOR clutch

2 grasp, clasp, hold, clench; hug.

See synonyms for clutch on Thesaurus.com

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Question 1 of 7

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Idioms about clutch

in the clutch, in a crucial, must-win, make-or-break moment: You need subs who can come off the bench and score in the clutch.

come in clutch, to deliver or perform what is needed at just the right time or at the last possible moment: I missed the bus, which would've made me late for my interview, but a neighbor came in clutch and gave me a ride.

Origin of clutch

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English clucchen, variant of clicchen, Old English clyccan “to clench”

synonym study for clutch

1. See catch.

OTHER WORDS FROM clutch

clutch·ing·ly, adverbclutch·y, adjective

Other definitions for clutch (2 of 2)

clutch²

[ kluhch ]

/ klʌtʃ /

noun

a hatch of eggs; the number of eggs produced or incubated at one time.

a brood of chickens.

a number of similar individuals: a clutch of books; a whole clutch of dancers.

verb (used with object)

to hatch (chickens).

Origin of clutch

First recorded in 1715–25; variant of cletch (now dialectal); akin to Scots cleck “to hatch,” from Old Norse klekja “to hatch”

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use clutch in a sentence

The Zero FXA standard-issue gas-powered motorcycle requires that its rider shift gears by pulling in the clutch with your left hand and changing gears with your left foot.
I rode an electric motorcycle for the first time. Here’s what I learned.|Rob Verger|December 10, 2020|Popular-Science
In a time when a quick run to the grocery store for coffee filters isn’t always an option, this set’s filter-free design is particularly clutch.
The Most Coveted Gear of 2020, According to Our Editors|Will Taylor, Jeremy Rellosa, Ariella Gintzler, and Maren Larsen|December 9, 2020|Outside Online
That clutch production earned her the 2015 Honda Sports Award as the national player of the year.
The Mewis Sisters Are Playing Soccer Together Again. This Time, It’s At The Highest Level.|Jenn Hatfield|December 8, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
Jairus Hamilton, a transfer from Boston College, hit a clutch three-pointer early in that late run, and junior guard Eric Ayala nailed one a minute later.
Maryland faces its first test against Mount St. Mary’s and passes with flying colors|Emily Giambalvo|November 29, 2020|Washington Post

The Terps never regained their composure even as they made a few clutch shots in the fourth quarter.
No. 12 Maryland women lose their way on defense in an 81-72 defeat to No. 24 Missouri State|Ava Wallace|November 29, 2020|Washington Post
That was accomplished by cops such as the one whose picture was clutched so tightly by his widow on Sunday.
Funeral Protest Is Too Much for NYPD Union Boss|Michael Daly|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
As he entered the canyon, he clutched his chest and fell to the sidewalk.
Why Comedians Still Think Bill Cosby Is a Genius|Mark Whitaker|October 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“The voices made me do it,” he said, and theatrically clutched both sides of his head.
Inside a Hospital for the Criminally Insane|Caitlin Dickson|September 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Contestants, huddled on the couches of a communal room, clutched their faces in shock and some broke into sobs.
No One Told ‘Big Brother Israel’ About the War|Nina Strochlic|August 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Each model clutched a Bloomsbury bag in one hand, all a variation on the new, hand-painted leather and suede piece.
Art Takes the Runway at Burberry Prorsum Fall/Winter 2014 London Fashion Week|Liza Foreman|February 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The ideal is not a thing to be clutched at, or taken by force, but all of the conditions—every tittle—must be fulfilled.
Solomon and Solomonic Literature|Moncure Daniel Conway
I clutched at the straw you held out to me, and saved myself at a cost greater than the world can ever know.
The Doctor of Pimlico|William Le Queux
On landing, the old prince, trembling from top to toe, with despairing glance clutched the arm of the Governor for protection.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman
Engel called "Fourteen" and got out there, briefcase tightly clutched up under his arm, its flap unbuckled.
Hooded Detective, Volume III No. 2, January, 1942|Various
But he had no time for sentiment; he grabbed the reef-earring with his left hand, and clutched at the man with his right.
The Chequers|James Runciman

British Dictionary definitions for clutch (1 of 2)

clutch¹

/ (klʌtʃ) /

verb

(tr) to seize with or as if with hands or claws

(tr) to grasp or hold firmly

(intr usually foll by at) to attempt to get hold or possession (of)

noun

a device that enables two revolving shafts to be joined or disconnected as required, esp one that transmits the drive from the engine to the gearbox in a vehicle

a device for holding fast

a firm grasp

a hand, claw, or talon in the act of clutchingin the clutches of a bear

(often plural) power or controlin the clutches of the Mafia

Also called: clutch bag a handbag without handles

Word Origin for clutch

Old English clyccan; related to Old Frisian kletsie spear, Swedish klyka clasp, fork

British Dictionary definitions for clutch (2 of 2)

clutch²

/ (klʌtʃ) /

noun

a hatch of eggs laid by a particular bird or laid in a single nest

a brood of chickens

informal a group, bunch, or cluster

verb

(tr) to hatch (chickens)

Word Origin for clutch

C17 (Northern English dialect) cletch, from Old Norse klekja to hatch

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with clutch

clutch

see grasp (clutch) at straws.

clutch

OTHER WORDS FOR clutch

Idioms about clutch

Origin of clutch

synonym study for clutch

OTHER WORDS FROM clutch

Other definitions for clutch (2 of 2)

Origin of clutch

Words related to clutch

How to use clutch in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for clutch (1 of 2)

Word Origin for clutch

British Dictionary definitions for clutch (2 of 2)

Word Origin for clutch

Other Idioms and Phrases with clutch