bear hug

¹ American  

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.

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bear-hug ² American  

[bair-huhg] / ˈbɛərˌhʌg /

verb (used with object)

bear-hugged, bear-hugging

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

   eager fans bear-hugging the victorious team.

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bear hug British  

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

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Etymology

Origin of bear hug¹

First recorded in 1920–25

Origin of bear-hug²

First recorded in 1955–60