clutch
1to 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.
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.
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.
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.
(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!
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
1synonym study For clutch
Other words for clutch
Other words from clutch
- clutch·ing·ly, adverb
- clutch·y, adjective
Other definitions for clutch (2 of 2)
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.
to hatch (chickens).
Origin of clutch
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
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-ScienceIn 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 OnlineThat 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 | FiveThirtyEightJairus 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 PostThe 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.
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 | THE 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 | THE DAILY BEASTContestants, huddled on the couches of a communal room, clutched their faces in shock and some broke into sobs.
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 | THE DAILY BEASTThe 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 ConwayI 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 QueuxOn landing, the old prince, trembling from top to toe, with despairing glance clutched the arm of the Governor for protection.
The Philippine Islands | John ForemanEngel called "Fourteen" and got out there, briefcase tightly clutched up under his arm, its flap unbuckled.
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)
/ (klʌtʃ) /
(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)
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 clutching: in the clutches of a bear
(often plural) power or control: in the clutches of the Mafia
Also called: clutch bag a handbag without handles
Origin of clutch
1British Dictionary definitions for clutch (2 of 2)
/ (klʌtʃ) /
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
(tr) to hatch (chickens)
Origin of clutch
2Collins 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
see grasp (clutch) at straws.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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