/ grɪp; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
HOLDING TIGHTLY
1.
[ C , usually sing. ] grip (on sb/sth) an act of holding sb/sth tightly; a particular way of doing this
SYN grasp :
Keep a tight grip on the rope.
to loosen / release / relax your grip
She tried to get a grip on the icy rock.
The climber slipped and lost her grip .
She struggled from his grip.
Try adjusting your grip on the racket.
CONTROL / POWER
2.
[ sing. ] grip (on sb/sth) control or power over sb/sth :
The home team took a firm grip on the game.
We need to tighten the grip we have on the market.
UNDERSTANDING
3.
[ sing. ] grip (on sth) an understanding of sth
SYN grasp :
I couldn't get a grip on what was going on.
You need to keep a good grip on reality in this job.
MOVING WITHOUT SLIPPING
4.
[ U ] the ability of sth to move over a surface without slipping :
These tyres give the bus better grip in slippery conditions.
PART OF OBJECT
5.
[ C ] a part of sth that has a special surface so that it can be held without the hands slipping :
the grip on a golf club
FOR HAIR
6.
[ C ] ( BrE ) = hairgrip
JOB IN THE MOVIES
7.
[ C ] a person who prepares and moves the cameras, and sometimes the lighting equipment, when a film / movie is being made
BAG
8.
[ C ] ( old-fashioned ) a large soft bag, used when travelling
•
IDIOMS
- come / get to grips with sth
- get / take a grip (on yourself)
- in the grip of sth
- lose your grip (on sth)
■ verb
( -pp- )
HOLD TIGHTLY
1.
to hold sth tightly
SYN grasp :
[ vn ]
'Please don't go,' he said, gripping her arm.
[ v ]
She gripped on to the railing with both hands.
➡ note at hold
INTEREST / EXCITE
2.
[ vn ] to interest or excite sb; to hold sb's attention :
The book grips you from start to finish.
I was totally gripped by the story.
—see also gripping
HAVE POWERFUL EFFECT
3.
[ vn ] ( of an emotion or a situation ) to have a powerful effect on sb/sth :
I was gripped by a feeling of panic.
Terrorism has gripped the country for the past two years.
MOVE / HOLD WITHOUT SLIPPING
4.
to hold onto or to move over a surface without slipping :
[ vn ]
tyres that grip the road
[also v ]
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English grippa (verb), gripe grasp, clutch (noun), gripa handful, sheath; related to gripe .