grip

 
Pronunciation: /grɪp/

verb (grips, gripping, gripped)

[with object]
  • 1take and keep a firm hold of; grasp tightly: his knuckles were white as he gripped the steering wheel
  • [no object] maintain a firm contact, especially by friction: a sole that really grips well on wet rock
  • 2(of an emotion or situation) have a strong or adverse effect on: she was gripped by a feeling of excitement the country was gripped by recession
  • firmly hold the attention or interest of: we were gripped by the drama

noun

  • 1 [in singular] a firm hold; a tight grasp: his arm was held in a vice-like grip figurative the icy grip of winter
  • a manner of holding something: I’ve changed my grip and my backswing
  • [mass noun] the ability of something, especially a wheel or shoe, to maintain a firm contact with a surface: these shoes have got no grip
  • 2 [in singular] effective control over something: he had to take a grip on his nerves
  • an understanding of something: you’ve got a good grip on what’s going on
  • 3a part or attachment by which something is held in the hand: handlebar grips
  • British a hairgrip.
  • 4a travelling bag: a grip crammed with new clothes
  • 5a stagehand in a theatre.
  • a member of a camera crew responsible for moving and setting up equipment.

Phrases

come (or get) to grips with

engage in combat with: British forces never came to grips with the enemy
begin to deal with or understand: a real tough problem to come to grips with

get a grip

[usually in imperative] informal keep or recover one’s self-control: get a grip, guys!

in the grip of

dominated or affected by something undesirable or adverse: Britain was in the grip of a crime wave

lose one's grip

become unable to understand or control one’s situation: an elderly person who seems to be losing his grip

Derivatives

gripper

noun

Origin:

Old English grippa (verb), gripe 'grasp, clutch' (noun), gripa 'handful, sheath'; related to gripe