grab
1to take illegal possession of; seize forcibly or unscrupulously: to grab land.
to obtain and consume quickly: Let's grab a sandwich before going to the movie.
Slang.
to cause a reaction in; affect: How does my idea grab you?
to arouse the interest or excitement of: The book was O.K., but it just didn't grab me.
to make a grasping or clutching motion (usually followed by at): He grabbed frantically at the life preserver.
(of brakes, a clutch, etc.) to take hold suddenly or with a jolting motion; catch.
a sudden, quick grasp or snatch: to make a grab at something.
seizure or acquisition by violent or unscrupulous means.
something that is grabbed.
a mechanical device for gripping objects.
the capacity to hold or adhere: The glue was so old it had lost its grab.
Idioms about grab
up for grabs, Informal. available to anyone willing to expend the energy to get it: The Republican nomination for mayor was up for grabs.
Origin of grab
1Other words for grab
Other words from grab
- grab·ba·ble, adjective
- un·grab·bing, adjective
Other definitions for grab (2 of 2)
a ship having two or three masts with a square rig, common on the Malabar Coast in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Origin of grab
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use grab in a sentence
Goff moved to his right and got the ball to Kupp, who made the grab and managed to get both his feet in bounds.
Cam Newton’s struggles continue as Patriots’ postseason hopes plummet with loss to Rams | Mark Maske | December 11, 2020 | Washington PostThe review unearthed a trove of emails from Zuckerberg and his lieutenants apparently plotting against competitors in a series of discussions in which they referenced making a “land grab” for rival apps.
U.S., states sue Facebook as an illegal monopoly, setting stage for potential breakup | Tony Romm | December 9, 2020 | Washington PostDallas rookie CeeDee Lamb got things started with an improbable touchdown grab, then Minnesota wide receiver Adam Thielen answered with one of his own.
AFC South thrives and the Steelers stay unbeaten in NFL Week 11 | Cindy Boren, Mark Maske, Des Bieler | November 23, 2020 | Washington PostAll meals must be served in grab and go style to prevent people from congregating in meal rooms.
AFC South thrives and the Steelers stay unbeaten in NFL Week 11 | Cindy Boren, Mark Maske, Des Bieler | November 23, 2020 | Washington PostA further $13 billion could be up for grabs over the coming months.
‘It’s more transformational’: For the third time in five years, advertisers will launch a mediapalooza of account reviews | Seb Joseph | September 2, 2020 | Digiday
British Dictionary definitions for grab
/ (ɡræb) /
to seize hold of (something)
(tr) to seize illegally or unscrupulously
(tr) to arrest; catch
(intr) (of a brake or clutch in a vehicle) to grip and release intermittently causing juddering
(tr) informal to catch the attention or interest of; impress
the act or an instance of grabbing
a mechanical device for gripping objects, esp the hinged jaws of a mechanical excavator
something that is grabbed
up for grabs informal available to be bought, claimed, or won
Origin of grab
1Derived forms of grab
- grabber, noun
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 grab
In addition to the idiom beginning with grab
- grab bag
also see:
- how does that grab you
- up for grabs
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Browse