(~s, ~bing, ~bed)
Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.
1.
If you ~ something, you take it or pick it up suddenly and roughly.
I managed to ~ her hand...
I ~bed him by the neck.
VERB: V n, V n by/round n
2.
If you ~ at something, you try to ~ it.
He was clumsily trying to ~ at Alfred’s arms.
VERB: V at n
•
Grab is also a noun.
I made a ~ for the knife...
Mr Penrose made a ~ at his collar.
N-COUNT: usu sing, N for/at n
3.
If you ~ someone who is walking past, you succeed in getting their attention. (INFORMAL)
Grab that waiter, Mary Ann.
VERB: V n
4.
If you ~ someone’s attention, you do something in order to make them notice you.
I jumped on the wall to ~ the attention of the crowd.
VERB: V n
5.
If you ~ something such as food, drink, or sleep, you manage to get some quickly. (INFORMAL)
Grab a beer.
VERB: V n
6.
If you ~ something such as a chance or opportunity, or ~ at it, you take advantage of it eagerly.
She ~bed the chance of a job interview...
He ~bed at the opportunity to buy his castle.
= seize
VERB: V n, V at n
7.
A ~ for something such as power or fame is an attempt to gain it.
...a ~ for personal power.
N-COUNT: usu sing, N for n
8.
to ~ hold of: see hold
see also smash-and-~
9.
If something is up for ~s, it is available to anyone who is interested. (INFORMAL)
The famous Ritz hotel is up for ~s for ?100m.
PHRASE: usu v-link PHR