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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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

Backing that vision are a clutch of regional and international investors including Kaszek Ventures, Ribbit Capital, and Index Ventures.
Index ventures into Latin America to back Sofia, a Mexico City-based telemedicine and health insurer|Jonathan Shieber|November 20, 2020|TechCrunch
As well-rounded and thoughtfully executed as the characters, world and story are, I found myself both frustrated with the complexity of the controls and tiring of the repetition that comes with trap-setting and luring the Bugsnax into my clutches.
‘Bugsnax’ is charming and funny, but sapped by vexing gameplay|Harold Goldberg|November 9, 2020|Washington Post
When the clutch of five to eight eggs is complete, they lose interest in sex, which doesn’t change their relationship much because they hadn’t seemed all that interested to begin with.
Three love stories about birds that will delight your heart|Laura Erickson|November 6, 2020|Popular-Science
Ultimately, Mando returns the favor and saves the little tyke from the clutches of evil, and then makes it his mission to ensure Baby Yoda’s safety.
What Makes Baby Yoda So Lovable? - Facts So Romantic|Morgan K. Hoke & Douglas K. Smit|November 4, 2020|Nautilus

Inside, a robotic arm carefully lowers a clutch of what look like small eyedroppers to a specialized tray containing small plastic reservoirs, deploying a careful measure of liquid into each.
This startup is using robots and A.I. to design new drugs|Jeremy Kahn|October 29, 2020|Fortune
After walking block after block holding that container, he had suddenly discarded it and was now clutching a gun.
Exclusive: Inside a Cop-Killer’s Final Hours|Michael Daly|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Prince William was seen clutching an envelope, when they left, most likely containing images of the scan.
Royal Baby Due In April|Tom Sykes|October 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Both have elicited the same hand wringing and pearls clutching.
Dissed By Her Doctor for Wanting HIV Protection|Heather Boerner|September 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He is clutching more out of habit than for any practical reason his black briefcase.
Inside East Ukraine’s Make-Believe Republics|Jamie Dettmer|May 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Later Rain tells me she had never heard of Weeks, the girl who was clutching her like her favorite sorority sister.
Duke Porn Star Belle Knox Is Building Her Brand One Strip Club at a Time|Emily Shire|May 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She tottered up the steps, clutching feebly at the post before passing into the house.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin
He stood in front of the virtuous harridan, his lips working, his fingers convulsively clutching the air.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol|William J. Locke
Then she closed the door as quietly as possible, and clutching the handrail began to grope her way downstairs.
Dope|Sax Rohmer
Lawrence saw one of his men reel and then fall forward, clutching his horse's neck.
The Courier of the Ozarks|Byron A. Dunn
She left her question unfinished, her hand clutching nervously at the bosom of her gown.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini

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