grasp

G0235300 (grăsp)v. grasped, grasp·ing, grasps v.tr.1. To take hold of or seize firmly with the hand, the foot, another body part, or an instrument: The elephant grasped the branch with its trunk.2. To hold with the arms; embrace.3. To take hold of intellectually; comprehend. See Synonyms at understand.v.intr.1. To make a motion of seizing, snatching, or clutching.2. To show eager and prompt willingness or acceptance: grasps at any opportunity.n.1. The act of grasping.2. a. A firm hold or grip.b. An embrace.3. The ability or power to seize or attain; reach: Victory in the election was within her grasp.4. Understanding; comprehension: "only a vague intuitive grasp of the meaning of greatness in literature" (Gilbert Highet).Idioms: graspat straws To search in desperation for a solution to a difficulty. grasp the nettle To take on a difficult problem directly and energetically.

[Middle English graspen; see ghrebh- in Indo-European roots.]

grasp

(ɡrɑːsp) vb1. to grip (something) firmly with or as if with the hands2. (when: intr, often foll by at) to struggle, snatch, or grope (for)3. (tr) to understand, esp with effortn4. the act of grasping5. a grip or clasp, as of a hand6. the capacity to accomplish (esp in the phrase within one's grasp)7. total rule or possession8. understanding; comprehension[C14: from Low German grapsen; related to Old English græppian to seize, Old Norse grāpa to steal] ˈgraspable adj ˈgrasper n

grasp

(græsp, grɑsp)

v.t. 1. to seize and hold by or as if by clasping with the fingers or arms. 2. to seize upon; hold firmly. 3. to comprehend; understand: I don't grasp your meaning. v.i. 4. to make a motion of seizing: grasped for the gun. n. 5. the act of grasping. 6. a hold or grip: a firm grasp on a rope. 7. embrace. 8. reach; attainment: to have a thing within one's grasp. 9. hold; possession; control. 10. power to understand. 11. thorough comprehension: a good grasp of computer programming. [1350–1400; Middle English graspen, grapsen; c. Low German grapsen; akin to Old English gegræppian to seize (see grapple)]

grasp

Past participle: grasped
Gerund: grasping

Imperative
grasp
grasp

Present
I grasp
you grasp
he/she/it grasps
we grasp
you grasp
they grasp

Preterite
I grasped
you grasped
he/she/it grasped
we grasped
you grasped
they grasped

Present Continuous
I am grasping
you are grasping
he/she/it is grasping
we are grasping
you are grasping
they are grasping

Present Perfect
I have grasped
you have grasped
he/she/it has grasped
we have grasped
you have grasped
they have grasped

Past Continuous
I was grasping
you were grasping
he/she/it was grasping
we were grasping
you were grasping
they were grasping

Past Perfect
I had grasped
you had grasped
he/she/it had grasped
we had grasped
you had grasped
they had grasped

Future
I will grasp
you will grasp
he/she/it will grasp
we will grasp
you will grasp
they will grasp

Future Perfect
I will have grasped
you will have grasped
he/she/it will have grasped
we will have grasped
you will have grasped
they will have grasped

Future Continuous
I will be grasping
you will be grasping
he/she/it will be grasping
we will be grasping
you will be grasping
they will be grasping

Present Perfect Continuous
I have been grasping
you have been grasping
he/she/it has been grasping
we have been grasping
you have been grasping
they have been grasping

Future Perfect Continuous
I will have been grasping
you will have been grasping
he/she/it will have been grasping
we will have been grasping
you will have been grasping
they will have been grasping

Past Perfect Continuous
I had been grasping
you had been grasping
he/she/it had been grasping
we had been grasping
you had been grasping
they had been grasping

Conditional
I would grasp
you would grasp
he/she/it would grasp
we would grasp
you would grasp
they would grasp

Past Conditional
I would have grasped
you would have grasped
he/she/it would have grasped
we would have grasped
you would have grasped
they would have grasped

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	grasp - understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or magnitude of something; "he has a good grasp of accounting practices"appreciation, holddiscernment, savvy, understanding, apprehension - the cognitive condition of someone who understands; "he has virtually no understanding of social cause and effect"sense - a natural appreciation or ability; "a keen musical sense"; "a good sense of timing"
	2.	grasp - the limit of capability; "within the compass of education"compass, reach, rangecapableness, potentiality, capability - an aptitude that may be developedken, sight - the range of vision; "out of sight of land"
	3.	grasp - an intellectual hold or understanding; "a good grip on French history"; "they kept a firm grip on the two top priorities"; "he was in the grip of a powerful emotion"; "a terrible power had her in its grasp"gripinfluence - a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc; "used her parents' influence to get the job"tentacle - something that acts like a tentacle in its ability to grasp and hold; "caught in the tentacles of organized crime"
	4.	grasp - the act of grasping; "he released his clasp on my arm"; "he has a strong grip for an old man"; "she kept a firm hold on the railing"clutch, clutches, grip, hold, clasp, clenchchoke hold, chokehold - a restraining hold; someone loops the arm around the neck of another person in a tight grip, usually from behind; "he grabbed the woman in a chokehold, demanded her cash and jewelry, and then fled"embrace, embracement, embracing - the act of clasping another person in the arms (as in greeting or affection)prehension, taking hold, grasping, seizing - the act of gripping something firmly with the hands (or the tentacles)wrestling hold - a hold used in the sport of wrestling
Verb	1.	grasp - hold firmlyhold onlatch on - take hold of or attach to; "The biochip latches onto the genes"cling, hang - hold on tightly or tenaciously; "hang on to your father's hands"; "The child clung to his mother's apron"clasp - hold firmly and tightlyhold, take hold - have or hold in one's hands or grip; "Hold this bowl for a moment, please"; "A crazy idea took hold of him"
	2.	grasp - get the meaning of something; "Do you comprehend the meaning of this letter?"apprehend, comprehend, get the picture, grok, savvy, compass, digunderstand - know and comprehend the nature or meaning of; "She did not understand her husband"; "I understand what she means"figure - understand; "He didn't figure her"catch on, cotton on, get it, get onto, get wise, twig, latch on, tumble - understand, usually after some initial difficulty; "She didn't know what her classmates were plotting but finally caught on"intuit - know or grasp by intuition or feelingdigest - arrange and integrate in the mind; "I cannot digest all this information"

grasp

verb1. grip, hold, catch, grab, seize, snatch, clutch, clinch, clasp, lay or take hold of He grasped both my hands.2. understand, realize, take in, get, see, follow, catch on, comprehend, get the message about, get the picture about, catch or get the drift of The Government has not yet grasped the seriousness of the crisis.noun1. grip, hold, possession, embrace, clutches, clasp She slipped her hand from his grasp.2. understanding, knowledge, grip, perception, awareness, realization, mastery, ken, comprehension They have a good grasp of foreign languages.3. reach, power, control, range, sweep, capacity, scope, sway, compass, mastery Peace is now within our grasp.

grasp

verb1. To take firmly with the hand and maintain a hold on:clasp, clench, clutch, grab, grapple, grip, seize.2. To perceive directly with the intellect:apprehend, compass, comprehend, fathom, know, understand.Scots: ken.3. To perceive and recognize the meaning of:accept, apprehend, catch (on), compass, comprehend, conceive, fathom, follow, get, make out, read, see, sense, take, take in, understand.Informal: savvy.Slang: dig.Chiefly British: twig.Scots: ken.Idioms: get a handle on, get the picture.noun1. An act or means of holding something:clasp, clench, clutch, grip, hold.Sports: grapple.2. Firm control:grip, hold.3. A strong or powerful influence:grip, hold.4. The ability or power to seize or attain:capacity, compass, range, reach, scope.5. Intellectual hold:apprehension, comprehension, grip, hold, understanding.Informal: savvy.

Translations

抓抓住抓紧理解力领会

grasp

(graːsp) verb1. to take hold of especially by putting one's fingers or arm(s) round. He grasped the rope; He grasped the opportunity to ask for a higher salary.抓紧2. to understand. I can't grasp what he's getting at.领会 noun1. a grip with one's hand etc. Have you got a good grasp on that rope?抓2. the ability to understand. His ideas are quite beyond my grasp.理解力ˈgrasping adjective greedy (especially for money). a grasping old man.贪婪的

grasp

→ 抓住zhCN

grasp

grasp in the dark

To seek out a solution, meaning, or sense of purpose in a blind, aimless, or uncertain manner. Often used in the progressive tense. We've been grasping in the dark for a way to pay our mortgage, but I just don't see how we'll be able to afford it anymore. My recent breakup with Janice has left me grasping in the dark.See also: dark, grasp

have a (good/solid/sound/etc.) grasp of/on (something)

To have a firm, clear understanding or determination of something. I hope everyone has a solid grasp of the material, as you'll be tested on it next week. I thought I had a pretty good grasp on English idioms, but I don't understand this one at all!See also: grasp, have, of, on, solid, sound

get a (good/solid/sound/etc.) grasp of/on (something)

To attain a firm, clear understanding or determination of something. You will need to get a solid grasp of the material, as you'll all be tested on it next week. I'm trying to get a grasp on English, but I don't understand some of these idioms at all!See also: get, grasp, of, on, solid, sound

grasp at a straw

To make a desperate attempt to salvage a bad situation. A: "But what about all those times I took the trash out when you hadn't even asked me to?" B: "That has nothing to do with why you're in trouble now, so stop grasping at a straw."See also: grasp, straw

clutch at straws

1. To make a desperate attempt to salvage a bad situation. A: "But what about all those times I took the trash out when you hadn't even asked me to?" B: "That has nothing to do with why you're in trouble now, so stop clutching at straws."2. To consider positive suggestions or thoughts in a bad situation. OK, you're just clutching at straws now, fantasizing about a potential buyer when your house has been on the market for months.See also: clutch, straw

grasp the nettle

To approach or begin a difficult or unpleasant task directly and with the appropriate amount of energy. I know you don't like disciplining employees, but you've just got to grasp the nettle.See also: grasp

within reach

Almost attainable. This phrase can be used both literally and figuratively. A noun or pronoun can be used between "within" and "reach." Molly is on bed rest, so be sure to leave anything she’ll need within her reach. Studying will put your goal of getting an A in this class within reach.See also: reach, within

grasp at straws

grasp at (someone or something)

To attempt to hold onto or grip someone or something. I grasped at the dog, but she ran away from me. Liz and I grasped at the sides of the raft as we hit rough waters.See also: grasp

relinquish (one's) grasp on (something) (to someone or something)

To forfeit, turn over, or yield control of something (to another person, group, organization, etc.). She refused to relinquish her grasp on the company to someone who wasn't in the family. They were forced to relinquish their grasp on the land to the government. They will now relinquish their grasp on the senate following the results of the election.See also: grasp, on, relinquish, someone

relinquish (one's) grasp over (something) (to someone or something)

To forfeit, turn over, or yield control of something (to another person, group, organization, etc.). She refused to relinquish her grasp over the company to someone who wasn't in the family. They were forced to relinquish their grasp over the land to the government. They will now relinquish their grasp over the senate following the results of the election.See also: grasp, over, relinquish, someone

grasp (someone or something) by (something)

To take hold of someone or something by gripping something in particular. The mama cat grasped her kitten by the scruff of its neck and carried it off. I grasped Peggy by the shoulders and guided her down the hallway.See also: by, grasp

a (good/solid/sound/etc.) grasp of/on (something)

A firm, clear understanding or determination of something. I hope everyone has a solid grasp of the material, as you'll be tested on it next week. I thought I had a pretty good grasp on English idioms, but I don't understand this one at all!See also: grasp, of, on, solid, sound

clutch at straws

Fig. to continue to seek solutions, ideas, or hopes that are insubstantial. When you talk of cashing in quick on your inventions, you are just clutching at straws. That is not a real solution to the problem. You are just clutching at straws.See also: clutch, straw

grasp at someone or something

to try to seize someone or something. He grasped at the bar and held on tight. The beggar grasped at the pedestrian and lost his grip.See also: grasp

grasp someone or something by something

to hold onto someone or something by something. He grasped his friend by the hand and pulled him to safety. Sharon grasped the dog by its collar and held on tight.See also: by, grasp

*(solid) grasp of something

and *(sound) grasp of something; *(good) grasp of somethingFig. a firm understanding of something. (*Typically: get ~; have ~; give someone ~.) Try to get a grasp of the basic rules. You don't have a good grasp of the principles yet. John was unable to get a solid grasp of the methods used in his work, and we had to let him go.See also: grasp, of

*within one's grasp

1. Lit. where one can grasp something with one's hand. (*Typically: be ~;, get ~; get something ~.) The rope was within his grasp, but he was too weak to reach for it. 2. . Fig. [for something] to be obtainable; [for a goal] to be almost won. (Does not involve grabbing or grasping. *Typically: be ~; get ~; get something ~.) Victory is within our grasp, so we must keep playing the game to win. Her goal is within her grasp at last.See also: grasp, within

within someone's reach

and within someone's grasp 1. Lit. close enough to be grasped. The ball was almost within his reach! 2. Fig. almost in the possession of someone. My goals are almost within my reach, so I know I'll succeed. We almost had the contract within our grasp, but the deal fell through at the last minute.See also: reach, within

get a fix on

Also, have a fix on; get or have a handle on ; get or have a grasp of . Obtain (or have) a clear determination or understanding of something. For example, I was finally able to get a fix on the specifics of this problem, or No one in the press room had a handle on Balkan history, or Do you have a grasp of the situation? Similarly, give a fix means "provide a clear understanding," as in This briefing will give us a fix on the current situation. The usages with fix and handle are colloquialisms dating from the 1920s; those with grasp are more formal and date from the late 1600s. See also: fix, get, on

grasp at straws

Also, clutch at straws. Make a desperate attempt at saving oneself. For example, He had lost the argument, but he kept grasping at straws, naming numerous previous cases that had little to do with this one . This metaphoric expression alludes to a drowning person trying to save himself by grabbing at flimsy reeds. First recorded in 1534, the term was used figuratively by the late 1600s. See also: grasp, straw

have a grasp of

see under get a fix on. See also: grasp, have, of

grasp the nettle

mainly BRITISHCOMMON If you grasp the nettle, you deal with a problem or unpleasant task quickly and in a determined way. I think you should grasp the nettle. Speak to your manager and make it clear you regret your mistake and are determined it will never happen again. European leaders have yet to grasp the nettle of labour-market reform. Note: If you grasp a nettle firmly, it is less likely to sting you than if you just touch it lightly. See also: grasp

clutch at straws

mainly BRITISH or

grasp at straws

1. If you clutch at straws or grasp at straws, you try to do something that is very unlikely to succeed because you are desperate or have tried everything else. This was a desperate speech, made by a man clutching at straws to retain his career. I was probably grasping at straws in a search for a cure, but I thought I would give the therapy a go.2. If you clutch at straws or grasp at straws, you try to find hope in a situation where there is no reason to feel hope. By this time, Rosa's behaviour was extremely strange and we were all very concerned. I told myself that at least she still had a job, but I was clutching at straws. Note: This expression comes from the proverb a drowning man will clutch at a straw. People are still clinging to the hope that something will happen — but I think it's like a drowning man trying to clutch at a straw. Note: The image here is of a drowning person who is desperately trying to take hold of anything to save himself or herself, even a straw. See also: clutch, straw

get a fix on

1 determine the position of an aircraft, ship, etc., by visual or radio bearings or astronomical observation. 2 assess or determine the nature or facts of; obtain a clear understanding of. informal 2 1993 Independent on Sunday You do not necessarily get a fix on life by fooling around with the fictive process. See also: fix, get, on

grasp the nettle

tackle a difficulty boldly. British This expression refers to a belief (recorded from the late 16th century onwards) enshrined in a rhyme quoted in Sean O'Casey's Juno and the Paycock ( 1925 ): ‘If you gently touch a nettle it'll sting you for your pains; grasp it like a lad of mettle, an’ as soft as silk remains'. 1998 New Scientist The problem was that governments failed to grasp the nettle and scrap the system. See also: grasp

clutch (or grasp or catch) at straws

do, say, or believe anything, however unlikely or inadequate, which seems to offer hope in a desperate situation. This expression comes from the proverb a drowning man will clutch at a straw , which is recorded in various forms since the mid 16th century.See also: clutch, straw

grasp the ˈnettle

(British English) deal with a difficult matter, firmly and with courage: The government will have to grasp the nettle. If they don’t, the traffic congestion is going to get out of control.This expression refers to the belief that if you touch a nettle (= a plant with leaves that sting) lightly, you will be hurt, but not if you take a firm hold if it.See also: grasp

within (easy) ˈreach (of something)

close to something: The house is within easy reach of schools and sports facilities.See also: reach, within

clutch/grasp at ˈstraws

try all possible means to find a solution or some hope in a difficult or unpleasant situation, even though this seems very unlikely: The doctors have told him that he has only 6 months to live, but he won’t accept it. He’s going to a new clinic in Switzerland next week, but he’s just clutching at straws.See also: clutch, grasp, straw

grasp at

v. To have a hold on something or take hold of something with the hands: Afraid of the steep drop-off, I grasped at the railing.See also: grasp

grasp

at straws To search in desperation for a solution to a difficulty.

grasp the nettle

To take on a difficult problem directly and energetically.See also: grasp

grasp at straws, to

To make a hopeless effort to save oneself. The term comes from the ancient image of a drowning man clutching at insubstantial reeds in an attempt to save himself, and it often was put as to catch or clutch at straws. It appeared in print as early as the sixteenth century and soon was regarded as a proverb. Indeed, Samuel Richardson so identifies it in Clarissa (1748): “A drowning man will catch at a straw, the proverb well says.” An earlier usage is “We do not as men redie to be drowned, catch at euery straw” (John Prime, Fruitful and Brief Discourse, 1583).See also: grasp

grasp

grasp

grasp

grasp

grasp

grasp

grasp

grasp

grasp

grasp

grasp in the dark

have a (good/solid/sound/etc.) grasp of/on (something)

get a (good/solid/sound/etc.) grasp of/on (something)

grasp at a straw

clutch at straws

grasp the nettle

within reach

grasp at straws

grasp at (someone or something)

relinquish (one's) grasp on (something) (to someone or something)

relinquish (one's) grasp over (something) (to someone or something)

grasp (someone or something) by (something)

a (good/solid/sound/etc.) grasp of/on (something)

clutch at straws

grasp at someone or something

grasp someone or something by something

*(solid) grasp of something

*within one's grasp

within someone's reach

get a fix on

grasp at straws

have a grasp of

grasp the nettle

clutch at straws

grasp at straws

get a fix on

grasp the nettle

clutch (or grasp or catch) at straws

grasp the ˈnettle

within (easy) ˈreach (of something)

clutch/grasp at ˈstraws

grasp at

grasp

grasp the nettle

grasp at straws, to

grasp

grasp

grasp

GRASP

grasp

grasp

grasp

GRASP

grasp

Synonyms for grasp

verb grip

Synonyms

verb understand

Synonyms

noun grip

Synonyms

noun understanding

Synonyms

noun reach

Synonyms

Synonyms for grasp

verb to take firmly with the hand and maintain a hold on

Synonyms

verb to perceive directly with the intellect

Synonyms

verb to perceive and recognize the meaning of

Synonyms

noun an act or means of holding something

Synonyms

noun firm control

Synonyms

noun a strong or powerful influence

Synonyms

noun the ability or power to seize or attain

Synonyms