death grip

American  

[deth grip] / ˈdɛθ ˌgrɪp /

noun

1. a very tight grip caused by fear or panic, as if facing death (often used facetiously).

   Scared out of my wits, and with a death grip on the motorbike's handlebars, I swore never again to ride on wet pavement.

   You don’t need to have such a death grip on the bat while waiting for the pitch, you know.

2. a very tight grip on someone, as to strangle or completely overpower them.

   As he knelt, the attacker took him from behind in a death grip, one hand clamped down firmly on his head, the other like a vise around his chest.

3. tyrannical or unrelenting control.

   Debt has a death grip on so many people's lives.

   These few media giants have had a death grip on the industry for the past decade.

4. Slang: Vulgar. a very tight grip on the penis when masturbating.

---

Etymology

Origin of death grip

First recorded in 1730–40; 2010–15 death grip for def. 4