bear hug

¹

noun

1. a strong, tight embrace:

   My father gave me a big bear hug as soon as I stepped out of the taxi.

2. Wrestling. a hold in which one contestant locks both arms around the other in order to make the opponent fall to the mat.

bear-hug

²

[ bair-huhg ]

verb (used with object)

, bear-hugged, bear-hug·ging.

1. to greet with or hold in a bear hug:

   eager fans bear-hugging the victorious team.

bear hug

noun

1. a wrestling hold in which the arms are locked tightly round an opponent's chest and arms
2. any similar tight embrace
3. commerce an approach to the board of one company by another to indicate that an offer is to be made for their shares

Word History and Origins

Origin of bear hug¹

First recorded in 1920–25

Origin of bear hug²

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

Yet for the most part, the Biden administration has stuck with its bear-hug approach — while Biden is clearly irked by Netanyahu’s war and negotiation strategy, he has repeatedly ruled out the kinds of overtly punitive actions that could pressure Netanyahu into ditching his maximalist demands.

From Los Angeles Times

Biden from the start adopted what came to be called his “bear-hug” approach to the Israeli leader — embracing him publicly, and saving any U.S. appeals for changed behavior for private discussions.

From Seattle Times

In his podcast on Thursday, Mr. Cuomo made plain that he did not intend to bear-hug Mr. Trump, noting that the former president had been highly critical of Democratic governors at the height of the pandemic, but seemed to be changing his tune — making a “total 180” — as he focused on a primary rival.

From New York Times

Defensive end Trey Hendrickson got around left tackle Dion Dawkins to bear-hug Allen, who unloaded the ball for an incomplete pass just before hitting the turf.

From Washington Post

When Detroit’s Corey Joseph tried to bear-hug Williamson to prevent an easy transition layup in the first half, the Pelicans’ imposing star forward found a way to toss the ball in anyway as he was falling to the court.

From Seattle Times