I. grip 1 /ɡrɪp/ BrE AmE noun
1 . FIRM HOLD [countable usually singular] the way you hold something tightly, or your ability to do this:
Hold the microphone in a firm grip and keep it still.
She felt her wrist caught in a vice-like grip.
Don’t loosen your grip on the rope or you’ll fall.
He released his grip and stepped back.
2 . POWER [singular] power and control over someone or something
have/keep a grip on something
Stalin’s determination to keep an iron grip on Eastern Europe
tighten/loosen/relax your grip (on something)
By 1979 South Africa was tightening its grip on Namibia.
tight/firm/strong/iron etc grip
The recession could be avoided if business keeps a firm grip on its costs.
3 . UNDERSTANDING [singular] an understanding of something
have/get a grip on something
I’m just trying to get a grip on what’s happening.
She was losing her grip on reality.
4 . come/get to grips with something to understand or deal with something difficult:
I’ve never really got to grips with this new technology.
5 . lose your grip to become less confident and less able to deal with a situation:
I don’t know what’s the matter; I think I’m losing my grip.
6 . get/take a grip on yourself to start to improve your behaviour or control your emotions when you have been very upset:
Stop being hysterical and get a grip on yourself.
7 . get a grip spoken used in order to tell someone to control their emotions:
For God’s sake get a grip!
8 . be in the grip of something to be experiencing a very unpleasant situation that cannot be controlled or stopped:
a country in the grip of famine
9 . STOP SOMETHING SLIPPING
a) [countable] a special part of a handle that has a rough surface so that you can hold it firmly without it slipping:
My racquet needs a new grip.
b) [singular, uncountable] the ability of something to stay on a surface without slipping:
boots which give a good grip
10 . FOR HAIR [countable] British English a ↑ hairgrip
11 . CAMERAMAN [countable] technical someone whose job is to move the cameras around while a television show or film is being made
12 . BAG [countable] old-fashioned a bag or case used for travelling
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ adjectives
▪ a firm/tight grip
The streets were crowded and she kept a tight grip on her bag.
▪ a strong grip
Maggie took the boy's arm in a strong grip.
▪ a good grip (=a grip with which you can keep hold of something)
The rocks were wet and slippery and it was difficult to get a good grip.
▪ an iron/vice-like grip (=a very strong grip)
Victor took hold of her wrist in an iron grip.
■ verbs
▪ have a grip
You need to have a good grip on your tennis racket.
▪ get a grip (=hold something that is hard to hold firmly)
I got a good grip on the rope and pulled myself up.
▪ take a grip
Mitch took a firm grip on her arm.
▪ tighten your grip/your grip tightens (=hold something more tightly)
She tightened her grip on her son’s hand.
▪ loosen/relax your grip (=hold something less tightly)
Lee loosened his grip on the dog’s collar.
▪ release your grip (=let go of something)
The guard released his grip on the prisoner and pushed him into the cell.
▪ lose your grip (=accidentally let go of something)
He shoved Higgins out of the way without losing his grip on the gun.
II. grip 2 BrE AmE verb ( past tense and past participle gripped , present participle gripping )
[ Language: Old English ; Origin: grippan ]
1 . HOLD TIGHTLY [transitive] to hold something very tightly:
I gripped the rail and tried not to look down.
grip something tightly/firmly
The woman moved closer to Beth, gripping her arm tightly.
2 . HAVE A STRONG EFFECT [transitive] to have a strong effect on someone or something:
a country gripped by economic problems
Panic suddenly gripped me when it was my turn to speak.
3 . INTEREST SOMEBODY [transitive] to hold someone’s attention and interest:
a story that really grips you
4 . NOT SLIP [intransitive and transitive] if something grips a surface, it stays on it without slipping:
Radial tires grip the road well.
⇨ ↑ gripping
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ hold to have something in your hand, hands, or arms:
Maria came in holding a letter.
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Can I hold the baby?
▪ grip to hold something very tightly and not let it go:
He gripped her arm so she couldn’t walk away.
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Jenny gripped the side of the boat to steady herself.
▪ clutch to hold something tightly, especially because you do not want to drop or lose it:
A businessman hurried past, clutching his briefcase.
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The little girl clutched onto his hand.
▪ clasp written to hold someone or something tightly, closing your fingers or arms around them:
She was clasping a bunch of small summer flowers.
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He clasped her in his arms and kissed her.
▪ get/take hold of something to take something in your hand or hands and hold it:
I took hold of the handle and pulled as hard as I could.
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Quickly – try and get hold of that frog!
▪ grasp written to take hold of something firmly, especially in a determined way:
She grasped the lowest branch and pulled herself up into the tree.
▪ grab to take hold of something suddenly and often violently:
He grabbed my bag and ran off with it.
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The other man grabbed hold of (=suddenly took hold of ) my arms and threatened me with a knife.
▪ seize /siːz/ written to take hold of something suddenly and often violently:
A police officer ran after him and seized the gun.
▪ hang on (to something) to hold on to something or someone tightly to support yourself:
He hung on to the rail at the back of the motorbike.
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Hang on tight!
▪ keep hold of something to continue to hold something:
Greg was struggling to keep hold of the dog.
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She tried to take her hand away but he kept hold of it.