grip
grip — verb
1. to take hold of something very firmly with your hand or fingers, so that it cann
to take hold of something very firmly with your hand or fingers, so that it cannot slip or be pulled away
Eli gripped the wooden railing tightly as the boat rocked from side to side.
grip + object + adverb (tightly)
The old woman gripped her grandson's hand while they crossed the busy street.
Xiu gripped the rope with both hands and pulled herself up the rock wall.
grip + object + with + body part
A cyclist must grip the handlebars firmly to stay balanced on a rough road.
- grip tightly
- grip firmly
- grip someone's hand/arm/shoulder
- grip the railing/rope/bar
Grammar Patterns
grip + object
grip + object + tightly/firmly
Usage Note
Frequently used with adverbs like 'tightly', 'firmly', 'hard' to indicate the strength of the hold. The object is usually a body part, a tool, or a supporting structure.
Common Mistakes
2. to hold someone's interest or attention so completely that they cannot think abo
to hold someone's interest or attention so completely that they cannot think about anything else
The documentary about deep-sea creatures gripped Sora from the very first scene.
inanimate subject gripping a person (attention sense)
Dahlia was gripped by the novel and read the entire three hundred pages in one night.
passive: be gripped by + book/story
Christopher's gripping speech about ocean pollution kept the audience silent for an hour.
The final episode of the mystery series gripped viewers across the country.
TV show / series as subject
- grip the audience
- grip the nation
- grip viewers
- gripping story/novel/film
- gripping performance
Grammar Patterns
grip + audience/person
be gripped by + noun
Usage Note
Common in the passive form 'be gripped by + story/film/speech'. The -ing adjective 'gripping' (e.g. 'a gripping thriller') is very frequent and carries the same meaning.
Common Mistakes
3. if a powerful negative feeling — for example, fear, panic, or grief — suddenly t
if a powerful negative feeling — for example, fear, panic, or grief — suddenly takes hold of you, making it difficult to stay calm or think clearly
A sudden panic gripped Eshe when she realised her phone was not in her bag.
emotion (panic) as subject + grip + person
The whole village was gripped by fear after the earthquake shook the valley.
passive: be gripped by + emotion (fear)
Imran felt a deep sadness grip his chest when he heard the old song again.
Cold dread gripped Rania as the elevator doors closed and the lights went out.
- fear/panic/dread/grief/terror grips someone
- gripped by fear/panic
- gripped with terror
Grammar Patterns
fear/panic/dread + grip + person
be gripped by + emotion
Usage Note
The subject is always an emotion noun — fear, panic, dread, grief, terror. Distinguish from sense 2 (CAPTIVATE): in sense 3 the emotion is always negative (fear, panic, grief), never positive excitement or interest. The body language is physical paralysis, not engaged attention.
Common Mistakes
grip — noun
1. the power or ability to control a situation, an organisation, or another person
the power or ability to control a situation, an organisation, or another person — to make things go the way you want
The ruling party has a firm grip on the country's media and broadcasting networks.
have a firm grip on + institution
Ramón struggled to keep his grip on the company after the board vote.
The coach's grip over the team began to weaken after three consecutive losses.
grip over + group of people
Parents often lose their grip on teenage children who demand more independence.
- tight/firm/strong grip on
- grip over
- keep your grip on
- lose your grip on
- weaken someone's grip
- loss of control
the state of not being able to manage a situation
Grammar Patterns
have a grip on/over + noun
lose your grip on + noun
Usage Note
Commonly paired with 'firm', 'tight', 'strong' before 'grip', and with 'on' or 'over' to introduce the thing being controlled. The opposite is 'lose your grip on something'.
Common Mistakes
2. the physical act of holding something tightly, or the particular way in which yo
the physical act of holding something tightly, or the particular way in which you hold it with your hand
Lien tightened her grip on the tennis racket and swung with all her strength.
tighten your grip on + object
The rock climber's grip began to weaken as sweat made his fingers slide off the edge.
A proper grip on a golf club can improve the accuracy of your swing by a lot.
The toddler kept a tight grip on her mother's coat and refused to enter the classroom.
keep a tight grip on + object
- tight/firm/strong/weak grip
- loose/relaxed grip
- grip on the handle/bar/rope
- tighten/loosen your grip
- keep/lose your grip
Grammar Patterns
have a grip on + noun
tighten your grip on + noun
Usage Note
Can be used literally (holding an object) or with body parts. 'Grip' here is a countable noun — you can have 'a grip' or 'the grip'. When describing how someone holds something, 'grip' may be modified by an adjective describing strength ('firm', 'tight', 'weak', 'loose').
3. a soft bag, usually smaller than a large wheeled case, in which you carry clothe
a soft bag, usually smaller than a large wheeled case, in which you carry clothes and personal things while travelling
Élise packed a small grip with a few shirts and some toiletries for the weekend trip.
Christopher threw his grip into the boot of the taxi and climbed into the back seat.
British usage note: 'boot' = car trunk
An old leather grip sat on the luggage rack above the train passenger's seat.
Xiu grabbed her grip and hurried off the bus before the doors closed.
- pack a grip
- travel grip
- leather grip
- small grip
- holdall
modern British term for a medium-sized soft travel bag
- duffel bag
a cylindrical bag with a drawstring top; common in both British and American English
- carry-on
specifically a bag small enough to take on an aeroplane
Usage Note
This sense is now somewhat dated in British English; 'holdall' or 'duffel bag' is more common today. In American English 'grip' is rarely used for a bag — use 'carry-on' or 'duffel bag' instead.
4. the shaped or textured part of an object that you hold onto, such as a handle, s
the shaped or textured part of an object that you hold onto, such as a handle, so that you can use the object safely and it does not slip from your hand
The rubber grip on Ezra's walking stick stopped him from slipping on the wet pavement.
rubber/foam grip (material + grip)
This knife has a textured grip that feels comfortable even when your hands are wet.
Rania replaced the old bicycle grips with new foam ones that were softer on her palms.
The leather grip on the old suitcase had worn smooth after years of travel.
- rubber/leather/foam grip
- bicycle grip
- racket grip
- replace the grip
- textured grip
Usage Note
Often combined with a noun describing the material: 'rubber grip', 'leather grip', 'foam grip'. In sports equipment, 'grip' can refer to the tape or wrap applied to a handle (e.g. a tennis racket grip).
5. the friction or sticking power between a moving surface — such as a tyre, shoe s
the friction or sticking power between a moving surface — such as a tyre, shoe sole, or foot — and the ground or another surface that prevents slipping
The car tyres lost their grip on the icy road and slid into a ditch.
lose grip on + surface (tyre traction)
Hiking boots with deep treads give you better grip on muddy or uneven trails.
The new running shoes provided excellent grip on the wet track after the rain.
Sora's bicycle tyres had deep patterns that gave good grip on loose gravel roads.
- good/excellent/poor grip
- tyre grip
- grip on the road/pavement/ground
- provide grip
- lose/improve grip
- slip
loss of friction causing unwanted movement
- slipperiness
the quality of a surface that reduces grip
Usage Note
Common in contexts of driving, hiking, sports, and footwear. 'Traction' is a more formal synonym often used in technical writing; 'grip' is the everyday word. The collocation 'good/better/excellent grip' is very frequent in product reviews.
Common Mistakes
6. a clear and deep understanding of a subject, problem, or situation that allows y
a clear and deep understanding of a subject, problem, or situation that allows you to deal with it effectively
Sora studied for months to get a solid grip on the basics of quantum mechanics.
get a solid grip on + subject (understanding sense)
Eshe's firm grip of financial regulations made her the best candidate for the audit job.
Xiu felt she was losing her grip on the complex plot of the novel halfway through.
losing your grip on + abstract thing (understanding)
After several lessons, Christopher finally got a grip on the basics of playing the guitar.
get a grip on + skill/subject (understanding)
- get a grip on
- have a good/strong/solid grip on
- lose your grip on
- grip of a subject/topic
- understanding
more general; 'grip' implies a confident, usable understanding
- comprehension
more formal; often used in academic contexts
- mastery
stronger; implies expert-level knowledge
- confusion
lack of understanding
- misunderstanding
incorrect understanding
Grammar Patterns
have/get a grip on/of + abstract noun
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 1 (CONTROL): 'have a grip on a subject' means you understand it well, while 'have a grip on a company' means you control it. The object of understanding is typically an academic subject, a skill, or a complex issue. 'Get a grip on' is the most common phrase for this sense.
7. a small metal or plastic clip, folded into a tight U-shape with straight wires t
a small metal or plastic clip, folded into a tight U-shape with straight wires that press together, used to keep hair in place close to the head
Dahlia pinned her hair up with two black grips before putting on her helmet.
Lien searched through her bag for a grip to keep her fringe out of her eyes.
The dancer's hair was full of grips to keep every strand in place during the show.
Eshe bought a packet of twenty black grips from the corner shop.
Imran found a stray grip on the bathroom floor and handed it to his sister.
plain everyday scenario (hair grip found at home)
- hair grip
- put in a grip
- black/brown grip
- pack of grips
Usage Note
This sense is primarily British. In American English, the equivalent item is called a 'bobby pin'. 'Hair grip' (two words) is also used in British English. The word 'grip' alone may confuse American readers — use 'hair grip' or 'bobby pin' depending on your audience.
to make an effort to control your emotions and behave more calmly and sensibly, especially when you are upset, angry, or panicking
Theo was shouting at everyone until his friend told him to get a grip and sit down.
Rania took a deep breath and told herself to get a grip before the job interview.
to become less able to control a situation, an organisation, or your own abilities, often because of age, stress, or changing circumstances
The manager started losing his grip on the team after the senior staff resigned.
Many older drivers worry that they are losing their grip on the rules of the road.
to start to understand, accept, and deal with a difficult problem, situation, or unpleasant truth
It took Ezra months to come to grips with the death of his grandmother.
The city is still coming to grips with the damage caused by the flood.
To start understanding and handling a difficult problem or situation.
Maya is finally getting to grips with the new software.
How can we come to grips with the rising costs?
To make an effort to control your feelings or behavior after being upset or angry.
After the argument, Diego took a grip on himself and calmed down.
Get a grip! You can't cry during the presentation.
Being affected by something bad that is difficult to stop or escape.
The city was in the grip of a severe drought.
Many families are in the grip of poverty.
Word family
- grippingadjectiveB2
- grippernounC1
- gripinglyadverbC2
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
All four words describe taking or keeping something in your hand, but they differ in intensity and situation. 'Grip' is the strongest of the group — it implies a tight, deliberate hold with force, as when you grip a railing on a moving boat to stay upright. 'Clutch' suggests a sudden, desperate grabbing motion, often driven by fear or urgency (a child clutching their parent's hand in a crowd). 'Grasp' is more neutral and can be physical or mental (grasping a concept), but when physical, it implies reaching for something and taking hold. 'Clasp' involves wrapping your hand around something, often with both hands meeting, and has a gentler, more careful feel (clasping a locket). 'Hold' is the most general and weakest — you can hold a pencil loosely, but you cannot grip it loosely. For everyday use: use 'grasp' for neutral situations, 'grip' for firmness, and 'hold' when force is not relevant.
Common collocations
Etymology
'Grip' comes from Old English 'grippa' (to seize or clutch) and 'grip' (a handful or a grasp), both from the Proto-Germanic root '*grip-' meaning 'to grab'. This same ancient root also gave us 'gripe' (complaint — originally meaning to clutch or squeeze, later shifting to 'cause pain in the bowels', then to 'complain') and 'gropian' (to grope). The noun sense of 'control' and 'understanding' developed figuratively from the physical holding sense in Middle English. The travel-bag meaning appeared in the late 19th century, probably from the idea of a bag you can grip and carry. The hair-clip sense emerged in early 20th-century Britain.