grab

[ grab ]

/ græb /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR grab ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), grabbed, grab·bing.

to seize suddenly or quickly; snatch; clutch: He grabbed me by the collar.

to take illegal possession of; seize forcibly or unscrupulously: to grab land.

to obtain and consume quickly: Let's grab a sandwich before going to the movie.

Slang.

to cause a reaction in; affect: How does my idea grab you?
to arouse the interest or excitement of: The book was O.K., but it just didn't grab me.

verb (used without object), grabbed, grab·bing.

to make a grasping or clutching motion (usually followed by at): He grabbed frantically at the life preserver.

(of brakes, a clutch, etc.) to take hold suddenly or with a jolting motion; bind.

noun

a sudden, quick grasp or snatch: to make a grab at something.

seizure or acquisition by violent or unscrupulous means.

something that is grabbed.

a mechanical device for gripping objects.

the capacity to hold or adhere: The glue was so old it had lost its grab.

Idioms for grab

up for grabs, Informal. available to anyone willing to expend the energy to get it: The Republican nomination for mayor was up for grabs.

Origin of grab

1580–90; cognate with Middle Dutch, Middle Low German grabben, Swedish grabba

SYNONYMS FOR grab

1 grasp, grip, catch.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR grab ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM grab

grab·ba·ble, adjective un·grab·bing, adjective

Words nearby grab

gr., gr. br., gr. wt., gr8, graafian follicle, grab, grab bag, grab bar, grab rope, grabber, grabble

British Dictionary definitions for up for grabs

grab

/ (ɡræb) /

verb grabs, grabbing or grabbed

to seize hold of (something)

(tr) to seize illegally or unscrupulously

(tr) to arrest; catch

(intr) (of a brake or clutch in a vehicle) to grip and release intermittently causing juddering

(tr) informal to catch the attention or interest of; impress

noun

the act or an instance of grabbing

a mechanical device for gripping objects, esp the hinged jaws of a mechanical excavator

something that is grabbed

up for grabs informal available to be bought, claimed, or won

Derived forms of grab

grabber, noun

Word Origin for grab

C16: probably from Middle Low German or Middle Dutch grabben; related to Swedish grabba, Sanskrit grbhnāti he seizes

Idioms and Phrases with up for grabs (1 of 2)

up for grabs

Available to anyone, as in Now that he's resigned, his job is up for grabs. This term alludes to something being thrown in the air for anyone to grasp or catch. [Colloquial; 1920s]

Idioms and Phrases with up for grabs (2 of 2)

grab

In addition to the idiom beginning with grab

grab bag

also see:

how does that grab you
up for grabs

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

grab

verb (used with object), grabbed, grab·bing.

verb (used without object), grabbed, grab·bing.

noun

Idioms for grab

Origin of grab

SYNONYMS FOR grab

OTHER WORDS FROM grab

Words nearby grab

British Dictionary definitions for up for grabs

verb grabs, grabbing or grabbed

noun

Derived forms of grab

Word Origin for grab

Idioms and Phrases with up for grabs (1 of 2)

Idioms and Phrases with up for grabs (2 of 2)

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

grab

verb (used with object), grabbed, grab·bing.

verb (used without object), grabbed, grab·bing.

noun

Idioms for grab

Origin of grab

SYNONYMS FOR grab

OTHER WORDS FROM grab

Words nearby grab

Words related to up for grabs

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []) .push({}); British Dictionary definitions for up for grabs

verb grabs, grabbing or grabbed

noun

Derived forms of grab

Word Origin for grab

Idioms and Phrases with up for grabs (1 of 2)

Idioms and Phrases with up for grabs (2 of 2)

British Dictionary definitions for up for grabs