(~es, ~ing, ~ed)
1.
If you ~ at something or ~ something, you hold it tightly, usually because you are afraid or anxious.
I staggered and had to ~ at a chair for support...
She was ~ing a photograph.
= grasp, grip
VERB: V at n, V n
2.
If someone is in another person’s ~es, that person has captured them or has power over them.
Stojanovic escaped their ~es by jumping from a moving vehicle.
= grasp
N-PLURAL: usu with poss
3.
In a vehicle, the ~ is the pedal that you press before you change gear.
Laura let out the ~ and pulled slowly away down the drive.
N-COUNT
4.
to ~ at straws: see straw