Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense grips, present participle gripping, past tense, past participle gripped
1. verb
If you grip something, you take hold of it with your hand and continue to hold it firmly.
She gripped the rope. [VERB noun]
2. countable noun [oft poss NOUN]
A grip is a firm, strong hold on something.
His strong hand eased the bag from her grip.
Synonyms: clasp, hold, grasp, handclasp [US] More Synonyms of grip
3. singular noun
Someone's gripon something is the power and control they have over it.
The president maintains an iron grip on his country. [+ on]
The Labour leader last night tightened his grip on Labour MPs with new powers toroot out trouble-makers. [+ on]
Synonyms: control, rule, influence, command More Synonyms of grip
4. verb
If something grips you, it affects you very strongly.
Pain gripped him. [VERB noun]
The entire community has been gripped by fear. [VERB noun]
5. verb [usually passive]
If you are grippedby something such as a story or a series of events, your attention is concentrated on it and held by it.
The nation is gripped by the dramatic story. [beVERB-ed]
Synonyms: engross, fascinate, absorb, entrance More Synonyms of grip
grippingadjective
The film turned out to be a gripping thriller.
Synonyms: fascinating, exciting, thrilling, entrancing More Synonyms of grip
6. uncountable noun
If things such as shoes or car tyres have grip, they do not slip.
...a new way of reinforcing rubber which gives car tyres better grip.
Synonyms: hold, purchase, friction, traction More Synonyms of grip
7. countable noun
A grip is a bag that is smaller than a suitcase, and that you use when you are travelling.
8.
See get/come to grips with
9.
See get a grip
10.
See in the grip of sth
11.
See to lose your grip
12.
See a grip on reality
More Synonyms of grip
grip in British English1
(ɡrɪp)
noun
1.
the act or an instance of grasping and holding firmly
he lost his grip on the slope
2. Also called: handgrip
the strength or pressure of such a grasp, as in a handshake
a feeble grip
3.
the style or manner of grasping an object, such as a tennis racket
4.
understanding, control, or mastery of a subject, problem, etc (esp in such phrases as get orhave a grip on)
5. Also called: handgrip
a part by which an object is grasped; handle
6. Also called: handgrip
a travelling bag or holdall
7. hairgrip
8.
any device that holds by friction, such as certain types of brake
9.
a method of clasping or shaking hands used by members of secret societies to greet or identify one another
10.
a spasm of pain
a grip in one's stomach
11.
a worker in a camera crew or a stagehand who shifts sets and props, etc
12.
a small drainage channel cut above an excavation to conduct surface water away from the excavation
13. get to grips
verbWord forms: grips, gripping or gripped
14.
to take hold of firmly or tightly, as by a clutch
15.
to hold the interest or attention of
to grip an audience
Derived forms
gripper (ˈgripper)
noun
Word origin
Old English gripe grasp; related to Old Norse gripr property, Old High German grif
grip in British English2
(ɡrɪp)
noun
medicine a variant spelling of grippe
grip in American English1
(grɪp)
noun
1.
the act of taking firmly and holding fast with the hand, teeth, an instrument, etc.; secure grasp; firm hold
2.
the manner in which this is done
3.
any special manner of clasping hands by which members of a secret or fraternal society identify one another as such
4. US
the power of grasping firmly
to lose one's grip
5.
the power of understanding; mental grasp
to have a good grip on a matter
6.
firm control; mastery
in the grip of disease, to get a grip on oneself
7.
a mechanical contrivance for clutching or grasping
8.
a part by which something is grasped; often, specif., a handle or hilt
9. US
a small bag or satchel for holding clothes, etc. in traveling
10. US
one who handles properties and scenery on a stage or TV or film set
11. Sport
the manner of holding a ball, bat, club, racket, etc.
verb transitiveWord forms: gripped or gript, ˈgripping
12.
to take firmly and hold fast with the hand, teeth, an instrument, etc.
13.
to give a grip1 (sense 3) to
14.
to fasten or join firmly (to)
15.
a.
to get and hold the attention of
b.
to have a strong emotional impact on
verb intransitive
16.
to get a grip
Idioms:
come to grips
Derived forms
gripper (ˈgripper)
noun
Word origin
ME gripe < OE gripa, a clutch, handful < base of grīpan: see gripe; (sense 9) short for gripsack
grip in American English2
(grɪp)
noun
alt. sp. of
grippe
More idioms containing
grip
lose your grip
get a grip on yourself
get a grip on something
Examples of 'grip' in a sentence
grip
Series one had me gripped and now it hardly seems worth it.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Spray over lengths of dry hair for extra grip.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It has good grips and hand brakes.
The Sun (2011)
You are in the grip of something very primal.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The pests lose their grip and slip off surfaces covered with the coating.
The Sun (2009)
She also said he had lost the ability to grip hold of toys.
The Sun (2009)
It has taken real grip and often gritted teeth to make it work.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The story is gripping right the way through.
The Sun (2010)
Your determined mood makes getting to grips with a new skill easier.
The Sun (2013)
You get a firm grip on money matters as new facts emerge.
The Sun (2011)
Using this grip also makes handle shape less important.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The key thing is to maintain the balance between grip and power.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
To get to grips with the technique watch our tutorial online.
The Sun (2014)
It felt like a giant hand gripping my throat.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The reality is that badgers have always had a strong grip on human imagination.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The country became gripped by the new awareness that major changes had to be made in manufacturing.
Redwood, John The Global Marketplace (1993)
But his grip was an iron vice.
Iain Gale Man of Honour (2007)
They hold on until they lose grip.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The powerhouse who used to grip games by the scruff of the neck was a pale shadow yesterday.
The Sun (2010)
The allegations came as a case that has gripped international audiences for two years entered its final phase.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The contraption allowed him to hit the drums with a stick but he could not easily control the grip or force.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Other signs are a sense that your fingers are swollen and feeling that they have lost the ability to grip firmly.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The story gripped the global media.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
But when the stresses continue, guilt grips us, and we feel like failures.
Christianity Today (2000)
In other languages
grip
British English: grip /ɡrɪp/ VERB
If you grip something, you take hold of it with your hand and continue to hold it firmly.
She gripped the rope.
American English: grip
Arabic: يـُمْسِك
Brazilian Portuguese: segurar
Chinese: 抓住
Croatian: uhvatiti
Czech: sevřít
Danish: gribe
Dutch: vastpakken
European Spanish: coger con fuerza
Finnish: tarttua
French: serrer
German: greifen
Greek: σφίγγω
Italian: afferrare
Japanese: しっかりつかむ
Korean: 단단히 잡다
Norwegian: gripe
Polish: chwycić
European Portuguese: segurar
Romanian: a prinde
Russian: сжать
Latin American Spanish: coger con fuerza
Swedish: greppa
Thai: จับอย่างแน่น
Turkish: sımsıkı kavramak
Ukrainian: хапати
Vietnamese: cầm chặt
British English: grip NOUN
A grip is a firm, strong hold on something.
His strong hand eased the bag from her grip.
American English: grip
Brazilian Portuguese: aperto
Chinese: 紧握
European Spanish: asimiento
French: prise
German: Griff
Italian: presa
Japanese: しっかりつかむこと
Korean: 움켜잡기
European Portuguese: aperto
Latin American Spanish: asimiento
All related terms of 'grip'
key grip
the person in charge of moving and setting up camera tracks and scenery in a film or television studio
grip strip
a strip of wood or metal with shallow teeth fixed to a floor to help hold a carpet in place
kirby grip
type of hairgrip
pistol grip
a handle shaped like the butt of a pistol
twist grip
a handlebar control in the form of a ratchet-controlled rotating grip , used on some bicycles and motorcycles as a gear-change control and on motorcycles as an accelerator
get a grip
If you get a grip on yourself, you make an effort to control or improve your behaviour or work.
lose your grip
to lose control over a situation
hairgrip
A hairgrip is a small piece of metal or plastic bent back on itself, which you use to hold your hair in position.
a grip on reality
If you say that someone has a grip on reality , you mean they recognize the true situation and do not have mistaken ideas about it.
to lose your grip
If you lose your grip , you become less efficient and less confident , and less able to deal with things.
in the grip of sth
If a person, group, or place is in the grip of something, they are being severely affected by it.
get a grip on something
to take control of a situation so that you can deal with it successfully
get a grip on yourself
to control yourself, so that you can deal with things successfully
Chinese translation of 'grip'
grip
(ɡrɪp)
n
(c) (= hold) 紧(緊)握 (jǐnwò)
(s) (= control) 支配 (zhīpèi)
(u/s)[of tyre, shoe]抓力 (zhuālì)
vt
[object]紧(緊)握 (jǐnwò)
[audience, attention]吸引住 (xīyǐnzhù)
to come or get to grips with[problem, difficulty]认(認)真对(對)付 (rènzhēn duìfù)
to lose one's grip (on) (fig) 失去控制 (shīqù kòngzhì)
to get a grip on把握住 (bǎwò zhù)
in the grip of笼(籠)罩在 ... 中 (lǒngzhào zài ... zhōng)
1 (verb)
Definition
to take a tight hold of
She gripped his hand tightly.
Synonyms
grasp
He grasped both my hands.
hold
Hold the baby while I load the car.
catch
He knelt beside her and caught her hand in both of his.
seize
an otter seizing a fish
clutch
She was clutching a photograph in her hand.
clasp
Mary clasped the children to her desperately.
latch on to
take hold of
2 (verb)
Definition
to affect strongly
A sudden pain gripped him.
Synonyms
afflict
There are four main problems that afflict these people.
attack
The virus seems to have attacked his throat.
affect
take over
rack
a teenager racked with guilt
beset
The country is beset by severe economic problems.
smite
convulse
3 (verb)
Definition
to hold the interest or attention of
The whole nation was gripped by the dramatic story.
Synonyms
engross
There's something about them which engrosses the public.
fascinate
She fascinated us, on and off stage.
absorb
a second career which absorbed her more completely than acting ever had
entrance
She entranced the audience with her classical Indian singing.
hold
Didn't it hold your attention?
catch up
compel
rivet
enthral
Children and adults alike are enthralled by his stories.
mesmerize
There was something about her which mesmerized him.
spellbind
1 (noun)
Definition
a very tight hold
I eased the bag from her grip.
Synonyms
clasp
He gripped my hand in a strong clasp.
hold
He released his hold on the camera.
grasp
I slipped my hand from his grasp.
handclasp (US)
2 (noun)
Definition
power or control over a situation, person, or activity
The president maintains an iron grip on the country.
Synonyms
control
The first aim of his government would be to establish control over the republic's territory.
rule
the winding-up of British rule over the territory
influence
As we grew older, I had less influence and couldn't control him.
command
the struggle for command of the air
power
women who have reached positions of great power and influence
possession
These documents are now in the possession of the authorities.
sway
How can mothers keep daughters under their sway?
dominance
They're unpopular for their dominance over the community.
domination
They had five centuries of domination by the Romans.
mastery
a region where humans have gained mastery over the major rivers
3 (noun)
a new kind of rubber which gives tyres a better grip
Synonyms
hold
The idea didn't really get a hold in this country.
purchase
I got a purchase on the rope and pulled.
friction
traction
Rubber soles offer good traction on court.
4 (noun)
He has lost his grip on reality.
Synonyms
understanding
They have to have a basic understanding of computers.
sense
He has an impeccable sense of timing.
command
His command of English was excellent.
perception
her perception of the feeling was strong
awareness
grasp
They have a good grasp of foreign languages.
appreciation
They have a strong appreciation of the importance of economic incentives.
mastery
He demonstrated his mastery of political manoeuvring.
comprehension
The situation was utterly beyond her comprehension.
discernment
their lack of discernment and acceptance of inferior quality
idiom
See come or get to grips with something
Additional synonyms
in the sense of absorb
Definition
to engage the interest of someone
a second career which absorbed her more completely than acting ever had
Synonyms
engross,
hold,
involve,
fill,
arrest,
fix,
occupy,
engage,
fascinate,
preoccupy,
engulf,
fill up,
immerse,
rivet,
captivate,
monopolize,
enwrap
in the sense of appreciation
Definition
awareness and understanding of a problem or difficulty
They have a strong appreciation of the importance of economic incentives.