grabverb
uk/ɡræb/us/ɡræb/-bb-grab verb (TAKE WITH HAND)
B1 [ I or T ] to take hold of something or someone suddenly and roughly:
A mugger grabbed her handbag as she was walking across the park.
He grabbed (hold of) his child's arm to stop her from running into the road.
More examples
- I just managed to grab hold of Lucy before she fell in the pool.
- I grabbed the dog by the collar and dragged it out of the room.
- Someone jumped out of the shadows and grabbed my handbag.
- Grab your coat and follow me.
- Stop grabbing my arm. You're hurting me.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Capturing or taking possession of things
- -grabbing
- apprehend
- apprehension
- arrogate
- at bay idiom
- bag
- cage
- capture
- catch
- collar
- corner
- entangle
- get your claws into sb idiom
- get/lay/put your hands on sb idiom
- grasp at sth
- seize
- sequester
- snag
- snatch
- snatch at sth
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grab verb (TAKE OPPORTUNITY)
B2 [ T ] informal to take the opportunity to get, use, or enjoy something quickly:
If you don't grab this opportunity, you might not get another one.
We'd better get there early, or someone else will grab the best seats.
Let's just grab a quick bite.
grab sb's attention
C1 to attract someone's attention:
With your first sentence you must grab the reader's attention.
More examples
- The visiting team grabbed an equaliser just before half time.
- One young fan managed to grab an autograph as the player was getting on to the coach.
- You won't get many opportunities, so you need to grab any chances that you get.
- We can grab a bite to eat before the film starts.
- She grabbed the chance to play the title role when the leading actor was taken ill.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Having in your hands
- ahold
- arm
- clasp
- clench
- cling
- cradle
- cup
- dandle
- enfold
- glove
- grasp
- hand
- handle
- hang
- hang on
- hang/hold on like grim death idiom
- hold
- hold on
- hold onto sb/sth
- pinion
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Idiom(s)
how does... grab you?
Phrasal verb(s)
grab at sth/sb
grabnoun [ C ]
uk/ɡræb/us/ɡræb/a sudden attempt to hold, get, or take something:
The two children both made a grab for the same cake.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Capturing or taking possession of things
- -grabbing
- apprehend
- apprehension
- arrogate
- at bay idiom
- bag
- cage
- capture
- catch
- collar
- corner
- entangle
- get your claws into sb idiom
- get/lay/put your hands on sb idiom
- grasp at sth
- seize
- sequester
- snag
- snatch
- snatch at sth
See more results »
grabby
uk/ˈɡræb.i/us/ˈɡræb.i/informal
Don't be so grabby (= trying to take things for yourself), Shirley. Let the others have their share.
Idiom(s)
up for grabs