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
Words Nearby clutch
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
Larger tires provide more ground clearance, but also can make the machine more susceptible to tipping and can require a clutch kit to work properly.
Six ways to make your ATV even more rugged | By Tyler Freel/Outdoor Life | September 17, 2020 | Popular-ScienceThe “necessity” argument may be clutching at straws for companies that, as many do, use their customers’ data for other purposes than the core services they provide.
Time is running out for Big Tech’s monetization of Europeans’ personal data | David Meyer | September 10, 2020 | FortuneAs briefly mentioned before, different displacements are also paired with clutch systems that accommodate the skill level of the intended rider.
Your kid wants a dirt bike. Here’s what to buy them. | By Serena Bleeker/Dirt Rider | September 4, 2020 | Popular-ScienceFor his part, Anthony — who has redeemed himself in Portland after an abrupt exit from Houston, including by hitting a number of clutch triples late since the restart31 — said his bad-word boarding is mostly a way of hyping himself up.
Carmelo Anthony’s On-Court Cussing Has TV Networks Playing Defense | Chris Herring (chris.herring@fivethirtyeight.com) | August 18, 2020 | FiveThirtyEightThe researchers analyzed a clutch of dinosaur eggs found in Mongolia.
Early dinosaurs may have laid soft-shelled eggs | Jack J. Lee | August 3, 2020 | Science News For Students
Who knew that a competition where you clutch the hand of another man and lock eyes across a table could be this damn gay.
High-End Pervs Film Benedict Cumberbatch and Reese Witherspoon Sucking Face | Amy Zimmerman | December 11, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAvailable at La Boîte SHOLDIT clutch Wrap Purse, $70 We can all agree the dorky passport holders and money bags have got to go.
The Daily Beast’s 2014 Holiday Gift Guide: For the Anthony Bourdain in Your Life | Allison McNearney | November 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAt Oscar after-parties, movie stars clutch In-N-Out burgers in one hand and gilded trophies in the other.
My Big, Buttery Lobster Roll Rumble: We Came, We Clawed, We Conquered | Scott Bixby | June 7, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe Kentucky freshman sunk his third game-winning three-pointer in a row, launching fresh claims about his ‘clutch gene.’
Was Aaron Harrison’s Game-Winning Three-Pointer ‘Clutch’? | Robert Silverman | April 7, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTTake those two years away, and his lifetime clutch rating is essentially zero.
Was Aaron Harrison’s Game-Winning Three-Pointer ‘Clutch’? | Robert Silverman | April 7, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTWhile he stood, apparently quiescent, in the clutch of his adversary, he still held his hand on his sword.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4 | Jane PorterIt is probable he wished to provide written proof of a plea that he was an unwilling agent in the clutch of a mutinous army.
The Red Year | Louis TracyBlack Hood let the clutch slap in and the roadster bounded back onto the tarvia drive.
A quick impulse that was somewhat spasmodic impelled her fingers to close in a sort of clutch upon his hand.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories | Kate ChopinAnd the nightmare clutch laid hold upon his heart with giant pincers.
The Wave | Algernon Blackwood
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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