Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense clutches, present participle clutching, past tense, past participle clutched
1. verb
If you clutchat something or clutch something, you hold it tightly, usually because you are afraid or anxious.
I staggered and had to clutch at a chair for support. [VERB + at]
She was clutching a photograph. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: seize, catch, grab, grasp More Synonyms of clutch
2. plural noun [usually with poss]
If someone is in another person's clutches, that person has captured them or has power over them.
Sophie had fallen into the clutches of a human trafficker.
Stojanovic escaped their clutches by jumping from a moving vehicle.
3. countable noun
In a vehicle, the clutch is the pedal that you press before you change gear.
Laura let out the clutch and pulled slowly away down the drive.
4. countable noun [oft NOUNof noun]
A clutchof eggs is a number of eggs laid by a bird at one time.
...the second clutch of eggs.
5. countable noun [NOUNof noun]
A clutchof people or things is a small group of them.
[written]
The party has attracted a clutch of young southern liberals.
...a clutch of songs about adolescent experiences.
6. to clutch at straws
More Synonyms of clutch
clutch in British English1
(klʌtʃ)
verb
1. (transitive)
to seize with or as if with hands or claws
2. (transitive)
to grasp or hold firmly
3. (intransitive; usually foll byat)
to attempt to get hold or possession (of)
noun
4.
a device that enables two revolving shafts to be joined or disconnected as required, esp one that transmits the drive from the engine to the gearbox in a vehicle
5.
a device for holding fast
6.
a firm grasp
7.
a hand, claw, or talon in the act of clutching
in the clutches of a bear
8. (often plural)
power or control
in the clutches of a criminal cartel
9. Also called: clutch bag
a handbag without handles
Word origin
Old English clyccan; related to Old Frisian kletsie spear, Swedish klyka clasp, fork
clutch in British English2
(klʌtʃ)
noun
1.
a hatch of eggs laid by a particular bird or laid in a single nest
2.
a brood of chickens
3. informal
a group, bunch, or cluster
verb
4. (transitive)
to hatch (chickens)
Word origin
C17 (Northern English dialect) cletch, from Old Norse klekja to hatch
clutch in American English1
(klʌtʃ)
verb transitive
1.
to grasp, seize, or snatch with a hand or claw
2.
to grasp or hold eagerly or tightly
verb intransitive
3.
to snatch or seize (at)
4.
to engage the clutch of an automobile, etc.
5. US, Informal
to become tense with anxiety, fear, etc.
often with up
noun
6.
a claw or hand in the act of seizing
7. [usually pl.]
power; control
8.
a.
the act of clutching
b.
a grasp; grip
9.
a.
a mechanical, electromagnetic, or hydraulic device for engaging a driving shaft to, or disengaging it from, a driven shaft
b.
the lever or pedal, as in an automobile, by which this device is operated
10.
a device for gripping and holding, as in a crane
11.
a woman's small handbag with no handle or strap, held in the hand
: also clutch bag
12. US, Informal
a critical situation or emergency
dependable in the clutch
adjective US, Informal
13.
designating or done in a critical situation
14.
likely to function well or be successful in such a situation
SIMILAR WORDS: take
Word origin
ME clucchen < OE clyccan, to clench (infl. in meaning by ME cloke, a claw) < IE *glek- (> cling) < base *gel-: see climb
clutch in American English2
(klʌtʃ)
verb transitive
1. Rare
to hatch (chicks)
noun
2.
a nest of eggs
3.
a brood of chicks
4.
a number of persons, animals, or things gathered together; cluster
Word origin
dial. < ME clekken (< ON klekja), to hatch
clutch in Automotive Engineering
(klʌtʃ)
Word forms: (plural) clutches
noun
(Automotive engineering: Vehicle components, Engine, transmission, and exhaust)
The clutch in a vehicle is a mechanism which connects the engine with the gearbox to make the vehicle move, and disconnects them to allow a driver to change gear.
COLLOCATIONS: engage the ~disengage the ~
All manual transmissions require a clutch to engage or disengage the transmission.
Gradual engagement of the friction clutch allows the vehicle to move smoothly from stationary.
A manual transmission system is made up of the clutch, gearbox, and driveshafts.
clutch disk, clutch pedal, clutch slip
Clutch parts include:bell housingclutch diskmaster cylinderThe part of the car with which the driver operates the clutch is the clutch pedal.
clutch in Mechanical Engineering
(klʌtʃ)
Word forms: (regular plural) clutchs
noun
(Mechanical engineering: Machinery and components)
A clutch is a device that locks two parts of a mechanism together and transfers power between them.
Clutches control whether automobiles transmit engine power to the gearbox.
If the engine is running with the clutch engaged and the transmission in neutral, the engine spins the input shaft of thetransmission, but no power is transmitted to the wheels.
A clutch is a device that locks two parts of a mechanism together and transfers power betweenthem.
More idioms containing
clutch
clutch at straws
Examples of 'clutch' in a sentence
clutch
We are clutching at straws to find out what happened.
The Sun (2016)
Now they only have one clutch.
The Sun (2016)
But now they have taken away the double clutch systems, it has caught him out.
The Sun (2016)
Next week, back to the deeply important subject of clutch bags and high heels.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They only need to keep up to 20 eggs from any one clutch for the breeding program.
Smithsonian Mag (2017)
Maybe we should have put a bigger wall in but I'm clutching at straws.
The Sun (2016)
And the clutch pedal is far too close to the centre console.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
So snap up this versatile patchwork clutch bag now.
The Sun (2007)
This is not so much wishful thinking as clutching at straws.
The Sun (2007)
But how one clutches at the glimpses of peaceful scenes.
John Garth TOLKIEN AND THE GREAT WAR: The Threshold of Middle-earth (2003)
Three good reasons why you should eschew a handbag for a clutch.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Clutch bags or small shoulder bags will complement a neat silhouette better than something big and bulky.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
We have to do more than just change the gearbox or the clutch.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
He was still clutching a metal bar in one hand.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It felt like it was clutching at straws.
The Sun (2006)
She manages to prize herself away from the clutches of the circus to be reunited with her friends and family.
The Sun (2008)
The painful pang returned and Aislinn clutched his hand tightly.
Kathleen E. Woodiwiss THE WOLF AND THE DOVE
With his left foot in a cast, he used his crutch to press the clutch.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It's a meal that has escaped the clutches of chefs.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
There are two significant straws for Arsenal to clutch firmly.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
And all the crew took turns to slip into the frock to record their farewell messages before she left clutching a bunch of flowers.
The Sun (2009)
This is because the clutch pedal is jammed right up against the centre console and there is consequently nowhere to put your left foot.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
His team twice failed to defend and threw away three points, while picking up another clutch of injuries.
The Sun (2008)
You are away from the clutches of your parents, but there is no need to bother thinking about getting a job, at least not a proper one.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
In other languages
clutch
British English: clutch /klʌtʃ/ NOUN
If you are in another person's clutches, that person has control over you.
Tony fell into the clutches of an evil gang.
American English: clutch
Arabic: قَبْض
Brazilian Portuguese: garras
Chinese: 陷入某人的控制中
Croatian: u tuđoj vlasti
Czech: sevření
Danish: greb
Dutch: greep
European Spanish: garras
Finnish: kytkin
French: embrayage
German: Kupplung
Greek: συμπλέκτης
Italian: grinfia
Japanese: クラッチ
Korean: 클러치
Norwegian: kløtsj
Polish: sprzęgło
European Portuguese: embraiagem
Romanian: ghearăîn ghearele cuiva
Russian: власть внешних обстоятельств
Latin American Spanish: embrague
Swedish: koppling
Thai: การควบคุม
Turkish: debriyaj
Ukrainian: лабети
Vietnamese: vòng kiểm soát
British English: clutch VERB
If you clutch at something or clutch something, you hold it tightly, usually because you are afraid or anxious.
I staggered and had to clutch at a chair for support.
American English: clutch
Brazilian Portuguese: agarrar
Chinese: 抓牢
European Spanish: agarrar
French: s'agripper
German: sich klammern an
Italian: aggrapparsi
Japanese: しっかりつかむ
Korean: 붙잡다
European Portuguese: agarrar
Latin American Spanish: agarrar
All related terms of 'clutch'
clutch bag
to seize with or as if with hands or claws
clutch disk
The clutch disk or clutch plate is the rotating part of the clutch, to which the friction material is attached.
clutch slip
Clutch slip is a faulty condition in which there is not enough friction in the clutch, so that engine speed rises without a corresponding increase in road speed.
clutch pedal
The clutch pedal is the pedal by which the driver of a vehicle operates the clutch.
clutch plate
a plate in a vehicle's clutch that connects to the transmission
double-clutch
to change to a lower gear in a motor vehicle by first placing the gear lever into the neutral position before engaging the desired gear, at the same time releasing the clutch pedal and increasing the engine speed
fluid clutch
a type of coupling for transmitting power from the engine of a motor vehicle to the transmission , using a torque converter
friction clutch
a mechanical clutch in which the drive is transmitted by the friction between surfaces , lined with cork , asbestos , or other fibrous materials , attached to the driving and driven shafts
centrifugal clutch
an automatic clutch in which the friction surfaces are engaged by weighted levers acting under centrifugal force at a certain speed of rotation
clutch at straws
to rely on ideas, hopes , or methods which are unlikely to be successful , because you are desperate and cannot think of anything else to try
to clutch at straws
If you are clutching at straws or grasping at straws , you are trying unusual or extreme ideas or methods because other ideas or methods have failed .
a drowning man will clutch at a straw
when hope of success is fading , people will try anything, no matter how unlikely it is that it will provide a solution
grasp (or clutch or catch) at a straw (or straws)
to try any measure, however unlikely , that offers even the least hope
Chinese translation of 'clutch'
clutch
(klʌtʃ)
vt
紧(緊)抓 (jǐnzhuā)
n(c)
(Aut) 离(離)合器 (líhéqì) (个(個), gè)
Derived Forms
clutchesn pl : to fall into sb's clutches陷入某人的控制中 (xiànrù mǒurén de kòngzhì zhōng)
1 (verb)
Definition
to grasp or hold firmly
She was clutching a photograph in her hand.
Synonyms
hold
I held the baby close to me.
grip
She gripped his hand tightly.
embrace
Penelope came forward and embraced her sister.
grasp
cling to
clasp
Mary clasped the children to her desperately.
2 (verb)
Definition
to seize with or as if with hands or claws
I staggered and had to clutch at a chair for support.
Synonyms
seize
an otter seizing a fish
catch
He knelt beside her and caught her hand in both of his.
grab
I managed to grab her hand.
grasp
He grasped both my hands.
snatch
He snatched the telephone from me.
(noun)
Definition
a group, bunch, or cluster
She lived in style with a clutch of liveried servants.
Synonyms
group
a small group of football supporters
crowd
All the old crowd from my university days were there.
bunch (informal)
The players were a great bunch.
cluster
A cluster of men blocked the doorway.
pack
a pack of journalists who wanted to interview him
load
bevy
a bevy of reporters
(plural noun)
Definition
power or control
He escaped his captors' clutches by jumping from a moving vehicle.
Synonyms
power
hands
control
grip
possession
grasp
custody
sway
keeping
claws
Additional synonyms
in the sense of bevy
Definition
a flock
a bevy of reporters
Synonyms
group,
company,
set,
party,
band,
crowd,
troop,
pack,
collection,
gathering,
gang,
bunch (informal),
cluster,
congregation,
clump,
troupe,
posse (slang),
clique,
coterie,
assemblage
in the sense of bunch
Definition
a group or company
The players were a great bunch.
Synonyms
group,
band,
crowd,
party,
team,
troop,
gathering,
crew (informal),
gang,
knot,
mob,
flock,
swarm,
multitude,
posse (informal),
bevy
in the sense of catch
Definition
to seize and hold
He knelt beside her and caught her hand in both of his.