clutch
clutch — verb
1. to press your fingers or hand firmly against something and keep it there, becaus
to press your fingers or hand firmly against something and keep it there, because you are frightened, hurting, or desperate not to lose it
The frightened child clutched his mother's hand as the crowd pushed past.
clutch + possessive noun phrase as object
Aiko clutched the wooden railing tightly when the boat began to rock.
clutch + object + adverb (tightly)
Leila clutched at the branch, trying not to fall from the tree.
clutch at + object for attempted hold
The old woman clutched her handbag to her chest and walked quickly past the stranger.
clutch + object + prepositional phrase (to)
Beatriz clutched onto the edge of the seat as the plane hit a patch of rough air.
clutch onto + object for desperate hold
- clutch tightly
- clutch desperately
- clutch at
- clutch onto
- clutch to one's chest
Grammar Patterns
clutch + object
clutch at + object
clutch onto + object
Usage Note
Often used with prepositions 'at' or 'onto' when the action is an attempt rather than a firm hold. The 'at' form suggests the person is trying but may not succeed.
Common Mistakes
clutch at
phrasal verbTo try to hold something quickly, especially because of fear or danger.
The child clutched at her mother's hand in the crowded store.
He clutched at the railing to keep from falling down the stairs.
clutch at straws
idiomto try any way you can to get out of a difficult situation or find a solution, even though you know your chances of success are extremely small
The accused lawyer was clutching at straws when he called a witness who had not been at the scene of the crime.
With profits falling for the sixth month, the company is clutching at straws by launching a product line that nobody seems to want.
To try anything to improve a bad situation, even if it probably will not help.
Mia knew the test was hard, but she was clutching at straws.
When his car broke down, Diego grasped at straws and called a friend.
clutch — noun
1. a device in a vehicle or machine that connects and disconnects the engine from t
a device in a vehicle or machine that connects and disconnects the engine from the wheels or other moving parts, allowing the driver to change gears or stop without turning off the engine
Ravi pressed the clutch and moved the gear stick carefully into first.
press the clutch
The mechanic said the old clutch in the delivery van needed to be replaced soon.
When Yusuf released the clutch too quickly, the car jerked forward and stalled.
release the clutch
A worn-out clutch can make it very hard to shift gears without a grinding noise.
- press the clutch
- release the clutch
- push the clutch in
- the clutch engages
Usage Note
In a vehicle with a manual transmission, you press the clutch pedal with your foot to disconnect the engine power briefly while changing gear.
2. the foot-operated lever in a car or truck that a driver pushes down to disconnec
the foot-operated lever in a car or truck that a driver pushes down to disconnect the engine from the wheels so that the gears can be shifted
Noa kept her left foot resting on the clutch pedal while waiting at the red light.
clutch pedal
In a manual car you must push the clutch pedal all the way down before shifting gear.
push the clutch pedal
Diego pumped the clutch pedal several times to get the stubborn mechanism to loosen up.
The driving instructor showed Hana how to find the clutch pedal without looking down.
- step on the clutch
- push the clutch pedal
- keep your foot on the clutch
Usage Note
Distinct from sense 1 (MACHINE PART): this sense refers to the pedal or lever the driver touches, not the mechanical device underneath. In everyday talk, 'the clutch' can mean either, but 'clutch pedal' is unambiguous.
3. a set of eggs laid by one bird at a single time, typically in a nest and incubat
a set of eggs laid by one bird at a single time, typically in a nest and incubated together
The robin sat patiently on her clutch of five blue eggs in the oak tree.
clutch of [number] eggs
Hana found a small clutch of sparrow eggs hidden deep inside the garden hedge.
Each spring the barn swallows return and lay a fresh clutch of eggs on the same beam.
The researchers counted the number of eggs in each clutch to study the bird's breeding patterns.
clutch — breeding context
- clutch of eggs
- lay a clutch
- a fresh clutch
- first clutch
- second clutch
- brood
refers to the hatched chicks rather than the eggs
Usage Note
A bird may produce several clutches in one breeding season. The word emphasizes that the eggs were laid by the same mother at roughly the same time.
4. a handful of people or items that are gathered together in the same location or
a handful of people or items that are gathered together in the same location or belong together in some way
A small clutch of students gathered outside the library to discuss the exam results.
clutch of + plural noun (people)
Dr. Okafor met with a clutch of reporters after the medical conference ended.
The photographer spotted a clutch of rare orchids growing behind the waterfall.
clutch of + plural noun (things)
A clutch of old photographs fell out of the book when Priya opened it.
- a clutch of
- small clutch
- clutch of reporters
- clutch of fans
Usage Note
Use 'clutch' rather than 'group' when you want to emphasize that the collection is small and feels somewhat separate from its surroundings.
5. a position of power or control over someone, especially when that control is unw
a position of power or control over someone, especially when that control is unwanted or hard to escape
The charity organization held the whole village in its clutches through debt and threats.
in someone's clutches
Wen managed to escape from the clutches of the criminal gang after several months.
escape/fall from the clutches of
The young bird had fallen into the clutches of a hungry stray cat.
fall into the clutches of
Tariq knew he had to keep his young brother out of the clutches of the local gang.
- in someone's clutches
- fall into the clutches of
- escape from the clutches of
- out of someone's clutches
- freedom
the opposite of being under someone's control
Usage Note
Almost always used in the plural form 'clutches'. Often paired with verbs like 'fall into', 'escape from', or 'be in'. The image is of being trapped in someone's hands or claws.
6. a moment or situation that is difficult and demanding, where the outcome depends
a moment or situation that is difficult and demanding, where the outcome depends on performing well under pressure
The goalkeeper came through in the clutch and saved the penalty shot with one hand.
come through in the clutch (phrase)
When the main generator failed, the backup battery arrived right in the clutch.
in the clutch — at a critical moment
Priya always performs her best in the clutch when the pressure is highest.
Amara froze in the clutch and missed the easy shot that would have won the match.
- in the clutch
- come through in the clutch
- perform in the clutch
Usage Note
Common in sports contexts. The phrase 'in the clutch' means 'at a critical moment'. 'Come through in the clutch' means to perform well when it matters most. This sense is strongly associated with informal American English.
clutch — adjective
1. describes a person who is able to perform well and succeed when the situation is
describes a person who is able to perform well and succeed when the situation is very difficult or the outcome really matters
Theo is the most clutch player on the team when the game is on the line.
clutch player
The coach put her most clutch striker onto the field for the final minutes of the match.
Every team needs a few clutch performers who stay calm under pressure.
clutch performer
Rashida earned a reputation as a clutch negotiator who could close any difficult deal.
- clutch player
- clutch performer
- clutch hitter
- reliable
more formal; does not imply high-pressure situations specifically
- dependable
consistently good; less dramatic than clutch
- unreliable
cannot be trusted to perform when needed
Usage Note
Used before nouns only. Originally from American sports slang (a 'clutch hitter' in baseball), now used in other high-pressure contexts like business and exams.
2. describes an action or performance that is done successfully at a very important
describes an action or performance that is done successfully at a very important and difficult moment, when the result depends on it
Nadia made a clutch shot that won the basketball tournament for her school.
clutch shot
The pilot's clutch decision to turn back prevented a disaster during the snowstorm.
clutch decision
It was a clutch save by the firefighter who caught the child at the last second.
clutch save
The lawyer made a clutch argument in court that convinced the jury to change their vote.
- clutch shot
- clutch play
- clutch move
- clutch save
Usage Note
Unlike sense 1 (DEPENDABLE) which describes the PERSON, this sense describes the ACTION itself. You can be a clutch player (sense 1) who makes a clutch shot (sense 2).
3. describes something that is exactly what you need in a given situation — extreme
describes something that is exactly what you need in a given situation — extremely useful, well-timed, or perfectly suited
That lightweight jacket is clutch — it goes with everything and folds into a bag.
is clutch (predicative use)
Rohan brought a clutch playlist for the road trip that everyone in the car enjoyed.
The extra blanket we packed turned out to be clutch when the temperature dropped at night.
turned out (to be) clutch
Yara found a clutch parking spot right in front of the restaurant just as the rain started.
- is clutch
- turns out clutch
- clutch find
- useless
completely the opposite of helpful
Usage Note
Unlike senses 1–2 which must come before a noun, this sense can be used predicatively ('That is clutch'). Strongly informal — best for casual conversation, not formal writing.
Word family
- clutchedadjectiveC1
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
All four verbs describe holding something, but they differ in force, intention, and emotion. 'Clutch' suggests a desperate or fearful hold — you clutch something because you are afraid to lose it. 'Grasp' is more neutral: you can grasp a hand in greeting or grasp a concept. 'Grip' implies a strong, controlled hold — a climber grips a rope deliberately. 'Clasp' has a gentler or more affectionate quality — you might clasp a friend's hands or clasp a locket. 'Seize' is the most forceful and sudden — it often involves taking something away or capturing it. For example: the child clutched her mother's coat (fear), the mountaineer gripped the ice axe (control), the detective seized the suspect's backpack (sudden taking).
Common collocations
Etymology
The verb 'clutch' comes from Middle English 'clutche', derived from Old English 'clyccan' meaning 'to clench or curl the fingers'. It is related to 'claw' and 'clench'. The noun meaning 'a grasp or hold' developed naturally from the verb. The automotive sense (a device for connecting and disconnecting engine power) dates from the late 1800s, when early cars needed a mechanism to engage and disengage the engine from the wheels. The adjective sense meaning 'reliable under pressure' emerged in early 20th-century American baseball slang — a 'clutch hitter' was a player who could get a hit when the game depended on it.