1Take and keep a firm hold of; grasp tightly.

1. 1.1no object Maintain a firm contact, especially by friction.
   a sole that really grips well on wet rock

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Combine that with little weight over the wheels, tyres that need to warm up before they grip properly and a wet road and things can get very - er - interesting.
   • It grips very well, making driving around those twisty B-roads a real pleasure.
   • We think the most likely cause is contamination of the brake disc pads at the noisy corner of the car, which could prevent them from gripping properly and cause a whining sound as they slip.
   • Secondly, I noticed that the rear tyre rim was gripping slightly and I thought it might be out of alignment.
   • Tyres fail to grip when brakes are applied and contact with the road surface is poor.
   • The stability control system also triggers a reflex to dry the brakes when streets are wet, so they grip better.
   • The Henrys Fork Wading shoes are made for just this sort of job, with a thick synthetic felt sole that grips.

2(of an emotion or situation) have a strong or adverse effect on.

1. 2.1 Firmly hold the attention or interest of.
   we were gripped by the drama

   Example sentencesExamples

   • The case has gripped and repulsed the nation in equal measure.
   • This is a compelling, human story that has really gripped the attention of a lot of people.
   • I was gripped from start to dramatic, uncompromising finish.
   • But the story of their life - the dilemmas they faced, the courage or weakness they showed - is gripping and unaccountably affecting.
   • This has been the most gripping novel I have ever read.
   • I didn't find the plot particularly gripping, but the level of period detail in the book's descriptive passages was excellent.
   • The stories are gripping and in some cases disturbing.
   • The movie should be dull, but instead it's fast-paced and gripping.
   • It was gripping, thought-provoking, and genuinely entertaining, if you take the word in its broad sense.
   • It's not a nice film, but it's definitely gripping.
   • The animation is breathtaking, the character development robust, and the story-line gripping from start to finish.
   • Their exploits gripped the country's attention and were written about in countless articles and books.
   • Sporting a writing staff made up of television all-stars, the show is intelligent, gripping and most importantly human all at the same time.
   • The result is a film that you admire from a distance rather than one that grips your attention or touches your heart.
   • The heist scene - when it finally comes - is reasonably gripping, albeit generic, but everything that surrounds it is very dull indeed.
   • It's a long play - three hours - but quite gripping.
   • This sort of information no doubt grips the many Van Gogh obsessives.
   • But it is this November's presidential election which will grip global attention as never before.
   • The more I read about the debate between ‘intelligent design’ and evolution, the more tightly science grips me.
   • The tragedy of the six characters is gripping in its own way.

   Synonyms

   engross, enthral, entrance, absorb, rivet, spellbind, hold spellbound, bewitch, fascinate, hold, catch, compel, mesmerize, arrest, ensnare, enrapture

   interest, intrigue, engage, distract, divert, entertain, amuse

   engrossing, enthralling, entrancing, absorbing, riveting, captivating, spellbinding, bewitching, fascinating, compulsive, addictive, compelling, mesmerizing, arresting

   thrilling, exciting, action-packed, dramatic, stimulating

   interesting, engaging, distracting, diverting, entertaining, amusing

   informal unputdownable

1in singular A firm hold; a tight grasp.

1. 1.1 A manner of holding something.
   I've changed my grip and my backswing

   Example sentencesExamples

   • A weak grip causes the clubface to open during the backswing and remain open in the downswing.
   • First, their hands and fingers are not large enough and long enough to get a proper grip.
   • Jump up and take an overhand, shoulder-width grip on a pull-up bar.
   • He has found a comfortable grip on his sinker, which consistently gets ground balls.
   • Once the proper grip is achieved then it becomes essential to develop the right stance.
   • Grasp the handles with a neutral grip and sit back on the bench, chest out high.
   • Hinge the club slightly in the backswing, then allow the grip to serve as a reminder to hold that position past impact.
   • Nothing is more central to playing properly than changing your grip.
   • He made himself level the remaining gun at the words, changed his grip on the pearl handle.
   • It requires a firm and correct grip and proper arm, shoulder and trunk motion, all with the feet in the right place on the court at the right time.
   • Preparing your ball and hand to have the proper grip is part of your pre-bowling and pre-shot routine.
   • Wood is experimenting with a split-finger grip on his changeup so he can use the same motion as on his fastball and slow down the pitch.
   • To get the proper grip for this swing, adjust your right hand on the shaft until you can see all five fingernails.
   • Gloves can also magnify a problem in your grip, so a proper fit is paramount.
   • The problem was not pain but the peculiar feeling of an unfamiliar grip, especially at the top of the backswing.
   • If the opponent cannot control you through a grip, he cannot overpower you or apply his technique.
   • It is very important that the grip should be as relaxed as possible using only sufficient pressure to hold the bowl firmly, never with tension.
   • It's very important to work with a pro shop professional who will help you develop a grip that allows your hand to relax in the ball.
   • Happy that he'd finally figured it out, he tested his grip on the weapon, and swung it experimentally in the air.
   • Luckily I controlled the fall, and took a better grip on the rope, bruising my arms and thighs in the process.

   Synonyms

   handshake, hand grip, hand clasp
2. 1.2mass noun The ability of something, especially a wheel or shoe, to maintain a firm contact with a surface.
   these shoes have got no grip

   Example sentencesExamples

   • When drivers find a way to slow down the rear axle, they can gain more grip in the rear wheels and improve the car's handling.
   • Cars run on skinny snow tyres in Sweden, with sharp studs to penetrate the icy surface and find good grip underneath.
   • However, as the transmission senses loss of traction, so more power is sent to the wheels with the most grip.
   • Mr Clayton claimed that too little sand was used in the resin compound, so instead of giving extra grip, the surface became smooth and slippery.
   • Some of my leather shoes had absolutely no grip.
   • Network Rail has installed new track and removed nearby trees to tackle the autumn problem of leaves on the line which can cause train wheels to lose grip.
   • The saturated leather and damp timber cause the crews feet to slip, so some opt to remove their shoes for better grip.
   • This is a well-balanced car with good mechanical grip to make the most of the smooth track surface.
   • Normal running shoes offer little grip in the mud and on the steep hilly sections and we saw loads of folk struggling and slipping.
   • On the out lap, I lost front wheel grip and nearly went onto the race track.
   • When it rains it's difficult to spot which surface has good grip and which doesn't.
   • It also allows for more pattern contact to improve uphill grip without reducing glide.
   • Crampons fix onto your shoes to improve grip.
   • Before the crew could correct the problem, the front cog wheel lost its grip and the engine turned on its side, releasing the coach.
   • The faster you go, the harder it is to maintain your grip.
   • Only the main trunk roads had been gritted, meaning anyone using other routes had to contend with icy and slippy surfaces that offered little grip.
   • The front engine-rear drive layout ensures improved grip and better traction under acceleration as the weight of the car transfers to the rear.
   • The shoes have pretty good grip and are Gortex, so they should be pretty good in wet conditions.
   • When wheelspin is detected, the power is distributed accordingly to the wheel with most grip.
   • The wheels rarely scrabble for grip even on the most treacherous surfaces.

   Synonyms

   traction, purchase, friction, adhesion, resistance

2in singular Effective control over something.

1. 2.1 An understanding of something.
   you've got a good grip on what's going on

   Example sentencesExamples

   • They have a reasonably good grip on the philosophy of science - far better than my own, anyway.
   • This is a tribute to the corporation's grip on the culture and polity of Britain.
   • The powerlessness and frustration of the local police, who appear to have no grip at all on who their enemy might be, resonates elsewhere.
   • So it's essential to have a grip, a clear understanding, of what your values and priorities are.
   • As for me, at least I've finally gotten a grip on exactly why this phenomenon has enjoyed such staying power.
   • In your pathetic grip on socializing and pitiful understanding of how to present yourself, you will always be five steps behind everyone else.

   Synonyms

   understanding of, comprehension of, perception of, awareness of, grasp of, apprehension of, conception of, realization of, knowledge of, cognizance of, ken of, mastery of, command of

   insight into, familiarity with

3A part or attachment by which something is held in the hand.

1. 3.1British A hairgrip.
   Example sentencesExamples

   • She was pulling grips out of her hair and sticking them between her lips, biting them with her bright white teeth.
   • Volumes of spidery dressed hair piled up around a seashell grip.
   • He provided pretty grips for her tumbling hair, ribbons with silk bows and even, once, a delightful dress quite suitable for royalty.
   • Mid-length to long hair is twisted and knotted into a mass of lively little ringlets, then twisted and fixed with grips.
   • Conceal the grips by pushing them right underneath the roll.

4A travelling bag.

5A stagehand in a theatre.

1. 5.1 A member of a camera crew responsible for moving and setting up equipment.
   Example sentencesExamples

   • All my friends' daddies were stunt men and grips and second unit directors and bit players.
   • The biggest special effect in that film was accomplished by two grips pushing a 2x4 against a plywood door to make it bow in.
   • Another use for sandbags is for grips to sit on when they are taking another Union mandated break.
   • Damian gave up surfing and fine art to study film making in New York City, where he worked as a grip for several years.
   • He is brushing shoulders with some of Britain's best-loved actors, working as a camera grip with ITV Yorkshire.