He clutched at the roots of the trees along the bank, but the flood swept him away.
•Karen clutched at me, but lost her grip.
Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.
clutch — clutch1 [klʌtʃ] v [: Old English; Origin: clyccan] 1.) [T] to hold something tightly because you do not want to lose it = ↑grip, grasp ↑grasp ▪ She was clutching a bottle of champagne. 2.) [I and T] also clutch at sb/sth … Dictionary of contemporary English
clutch — clutch1 [ klʌtʃ ] verb ** transitive to hold someone or something firmly, for example because you are afraid or in pain, or do not want to lose them: Women clutched small children as they left. a. intransitive clutch at to try to take hold of… … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
clutch — I UK [klʌtʃ] / US verb Word forms clutch : present tense I/you/we/they clutch he/she/it clutches present participle clutching past tense clutched past participle clutched ** a) [transitive] to hold someone or something firmly, for example because … English dictionary
clutch — [klʌtʃ] verb [T] I to hold someone or something firmly II noun clutch [klʌtʃ] 1) [C] a piece of equipment in a vehicle that you press with your foot when you change GEAR 2) clutches [plural] power or control over someone They left the country to… … Dictionary for writing and speaking English
clutch — 1 verb (I) to hold something or someone tightly, especially because you are frightened, in pain, or do not want to lose something: Tom fell to the ground clutching his stomach. | A woman clutching a baby stole an elderly woman s purse. clutch at… … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
clutch — [[t]klʌ̱tʃ[/t]] clutches, clutching, clutched 1) VERB If you clutch at something or clutch something, you hold it tightly, usually because you are afraid or anxious. [V at n] I staggered and had to clutch at a chair for support... [V n] She was… … English dictionary
get hold of — verb 1. get into one s hands, take physically (Freq. 1) Take a cookie! Can you take this bag, please • Syn: ↑take • See Also: ↑take in (for: ↑ … Useful english dictionary
give — give1 [ gıv ] (past tense gave [ geıv ] ; past participle giv|en [ gıvn ] ) verb *** ▸ 1 provide someone with something ▸ 2 make someone owner of something ▸ 3 put medicine in someone ▸ 4 cause effect/experience ▸ 5 communicate ▸ 6 perform action … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
way — way1 W1S1 [weı] n ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1¦(method)¦ 2¦(manner)¦ 3¦(direction/how to go somewhere)¦ 4¦(part of something that is true)¦ 5¦(distance/time)¦ 6¦(the space in front of you)¦ 7 make way (for something/somebody) 8 out of the way 9 on the/your/its way … Dictionary of contemporary English
give — I UK [ɡɪv] / US verb Word forms give : present tense I/you/we/they give he/she/it gives present participle giving past tense gave UK [ɡeɪv] / US past participle given UK [ˈɡɪv(ə)n] / US *** 1) [transitive] to put something in someone s hand, or… … English dictionary
way — 1 /weI/ noun METHOD 1 (C) a method of doing something: These vegetables can be cooked in several different ways. | At that time, the Pill was the easiest way of ensuring effective contraception. | I ve altered the way I teach science. | I ll tell … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
