grab Hear it!

grab Definition

grab (grab)

transitive verb grabbed, grab·bing

  1. to seize or snatch suddenly; take roughly and quickly
  2. to get possession of by unscrupulous methods
  3. Slang to attract strongly the attention of; impress greatly

Etymology: prob. < MDu grabben, akin to ON grapa, grasp < IE base *ghrebh- > Sans grabh-, to seize

intransitive verb

to grab or try to grab something: often with for, at, onto, etc.

noun

  1. the act of grabbing
  2. something grabbed
  3. any of various mechanical devices for clutching something to be hoisted
  4. Chiefly Brit. clamshell (sense )

grab Related Forms
grab·ber noun
grab Idioms

up for grabs

Slang available to the highest bidder, most aggressive person, etc.

grab Synonyms

grab

n.

grasp, clutch, snatch; see grip 2.

up for grabs*

offered, obtainable, for the taking; see available, free 4.

grab Synonyms

grab

v.

clutch, grasp, take; see seize 1, 2. See syn. study at seize.

grab Usage Examples

Object

  • equalizer: Montrose had barely time to settle on the lead when Arbroath grabbed an equalizer out of nothing.
  • headline: For now, we'll just have to keep letting number 27 grabbing the headlines!
  • bite: Upstairs are a counter, tables and chairs â more suited to those interested in grabbing a quick bite to eat.
  • attention: Muhammad grabbed the attention of every child he came in contact with from Year 7 to Year 10.
  • handful: I reach in and grab a handful, shoving them into the machine with the felt-tipped sign ' service washes only ' .
  • consolation: Julian Ellis grabbed a consolation for the home side.

Used with why or when

  • what: So we grabbed what was necessary, and God blessed greatly what we came up with.

Modifies a noun

  • rail: Am I eligible for lever taps, lowering a cistern or having a grab rail of some sort fitted in my home?
  • bag: There is a grab bag of malware, cryptanalysis, attack methods and more in chapter nine.
  • adhesive: To fasten the skirting to the wall a grab adhesive is best especially if you intend to stain or varnish the boards.
  • raid: Detective Constable Tina Green, of Ripley CID, said: " It was very much a smash and grab raid.
  • headline: Good police work on high-profile crime grabs headlines... but people who work behind the scenes make an impact too.
  • bar: Cubicles come complete with a grab bar and seat supports, curtain rail and plain White curtain and optional ramp.

Modifying Another Word

  • hastily: Ewan caught sight of the barbarian's look of righteous wrath and hastily grabbed his horse's bridle.
  • instantly: Although it doesn't necessarily instantly grab you, it is a definite grower and well worth a few listenings.
  • suddenly: Be very gentle when you do this, and don't suddenly grab the puppy's jaw.
  • immediately: We made contact and he immediately grabbed my legs to try to take me down.

Noun used with modifier

  • screen: See It Very useful section where you can see actual screen grabs of the program at work.
  • land: One opposition opponents of the bill has drawn parallels with Mugabe's land grabs in Zimbabwe.
  • someone: If someone grabs your bag, let it go - property can be replaced, safety comes first.

Browse dictionary entries near grab

  1. gr wt
  2. Grünewald
  3. Gr Brit
  4. gr
  5. gps
  6. GPRS
  7. GPON
  8. GPO
  9. gpm
  10. GPA
  1. grab bag
  2. grabble
  3. grabby
  4. graben
  5. Gracchus
  6. grace
  7. grace cup
  8. grace note
  9. grace period
  10. graceful