grab

¹ American  

[grab] / græb /

verb (used with object)

grabbed, grabbing

1. to seize suddenly or quickly; snatch; clutch.

   He grabbed me by the collar.

   Synonyms:

   catch, grip, grasp

2. to take illegal possession of; seize forcibly or unscrupulously.

   to grab land.

3. to obtain and consume quickly.

   Let's grab a sandwich before going to the movie.

4. Slang.

   1. to cause a reaction in; affect.

      How does my idea grab you?

   2. to arouse the interest or excitement of.

      The book was O.K., but it just didn't grab me.

---

verb (used without object)

grabbed, grabbing

1. to make a grasping or clutching motion (usually followed byat ).

   He grabbed frantically at the life preserver.

2. (of brakes, a clutch, etc.) to take hold suddenly or with a jolting motion; catch.

noun

1. a sudden, quick grasp or snatch.

   to make a grab at something.

2. seizure or acquisition by violent or unscrupulous means.

3. something that is grabbed.

4. a mechanical device for gripping objects.

5. the capacity to hold or adhere.

   The glue was so old it had lost its grab.

idioms

1. up for grabs, available to anyone willing to expend the energy to get it.

   The Republican nomination for mayor was up for grabs.

grab ² American  

[grab] / græb /

noun

1. a ship having two or three masts with a square rig, common on the Malabar Coast in the 18th and 19th centuries.

---

grab British  

/ ɡræb /

verb

1. to seize hold of (something)

2. (tr) to seize illegally or unscrupulously

3. (tr) to arrest; catch

4. (intr) (of a brake or clutch in a vehicle) to grip and release intermittently causing juddering

5. informal (tr) to catch the attention or interest of; impress

---

noun

1. the act or an instance of grabbing

2. a mechanical device for gripping objects, esp the hinged jaws of a mechanical excavator

3. something that is grabbed

4. informal available to be bought, claimed, or won

grab More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing grab

• how does that grab you
• up for grabs

---

Other Word Forms

• grabbable adjective
• grabber noun
• ungrabbing adjective

Etymology

Origin of grab¹

First recorded in 1580–90; cognate with Middle Dutch, Middle Low German grabben, Swedish grabba

Origin of grab²

First recorded in 1670–80; from Arabic ghurāb literally, “raven”

Example Sentences

This will not be Tuchel's pick - but there are still places up for grabs.

From BBC

The United Club at Heathrow, included with my ticket, was crowded but a good place to check email and grab some snacks.

From The Wall Street Journal

The kind of place where you can settle in fast—whether that’s chasing the perfect ribeye, grabbing a rooftop drink, or ordering something so good you’re still thinking about it weeks later.

From Salon

England and Spain are expected to battle for top spot in their group, with only one automatic qualification place up for grabs.

From BBC

The Brazilian is a big-game player, too, scoring twice against Manchester City at Etihad Stadium in the last 16 and grabbing another brace in the Madrid derby win over Atletico before the international break.

From BBC

Related Words

• capture
• catch
• clutch
• grasp
• grip
• seize
• snag
• snatch
• take