grip

grip¹ [grıp] n

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1¦(firm hold)¦

2¦(power)¦

3¦(understanding)¦

4 come/get to grips with something

5 lose your grip

6 get/take a grip on yourself

7 Get a grip

8 be in the grip of something

9¦(stop something slipping)¦

10¦(for hair)¦

11¦(cameraman)¦

12¦(bag)¦

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1.) ¦(FIRM HOLD)¦ [C usually singular]

the way you hold something tightly, or your ability to do this

▪ Hold the microphone in a firm grip and keep it still.

▪ She felt her wrist caught in a vice-like grip .

▪ Don't loosen your grip on the rope or you'll fall.

▪ He released his grip and stepped back.

2.) ¦(POWER)¦ [singular]

power and control over someone or something

have/keep a grip on sth

▪ Stalin's determination to keep an iron grip on Eastern Europe

tighten/loosen/relax your grip (on sth)

▪ By 1979 South Africa was tightening its grip on Namibia.

tight/firm/strong/iron etc grip

▪ The recession could be avoided if business keeps a firm grip on its costs.

3.) ¦(UNDERSTANDING)¦ [singular]

an understanding of something

have/get a grip on sth

▪ I'm just trying to get a grip on what's happening.

▪ She was losing her grip on reality.

4.) come/get to grips with sth

to understand or deal with something difficult

▪ I've never really got to grips with this new technology.

5.) lose your grip

to become less confident and less able to deal with a situation

▪ I don't know what's the matter; I think I'm losing my grip.

6.) get/take a grip on yourself

to start to improve your behaviour or control your emotions when you have been very upset

▪ Stop being hysterical and get a grip on yourself.

7.) Get a grip

spoken used in order to tell someone to control their emotions

▪ For God's sake get a grip!

8.) be in the grip of sth

to be experiencing a very unpleasant situation that cannot be controlled or stopped

▪ a country in the grip of famine

9.) ¦(STOP SOMETHING SLIPPING)¦

a)

a special part of a handle that has a rough surface so that you can hold it firmly without it slipping

▪ My racquet needs a new grip.

b) [singular, U]

the ability of something to stay on a surface without slipping

▪ boots which give a good grip

10.)¦(FOR HAIR)¦ BrE

a ↑hairgrip

11.) ¦(CAMERAMAN)¦ technical

someone whose job is to move the cameras around while a television show or film is being made

12.) ¦(BAG)¦ old-fashioned a bag or case used for travelling

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COLLOCATES for sense 1

firm/tight/good/strong grip

iron/vice-like grip (=a very strong grip)

tighten your grip (on something) (=hold something more tightly)

loosen/relax your grip (on something) (=hold something less tightly)

release your grip (on something) (=let go of something)

lose your grip (=accidentally let go of something)

get a grip (on something) (=hold something that is hard to hold firmly)

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grip ²

grip² v past tense and past participle gripped present participle gripping

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1¦(hold tightly)¦

2¦(have a strong effect)¦

3¦(interest somebody)¦

4¦(not slip)¦

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[: Old English; Origin: grippan]

1.) ¦(HOLD TIGHTLY)¦ [T]

to hold something very tightly

▪ I gripped the rail and tried not to look down.

grip sth tightly/firmly

▪ The woman moved closer to Beth, gripping her arm tightly.

2.) ¦(HAVE A STRONG EFFECT)¦ [T]

to have a strong effect on someone or something

▪ a country gripped by economic problems

▪ Panic suddenly gripped me when it was my turn to speak.

3.) ¦(INTEREST SOMEBODY)¦ [T]

to hold someone's attention and interest

▪ a story that really grips you

4.) ¦(NOT SLIP)¦ [I and T]

if something grips a surface, it stays on it without slipping

▪ Radial tires grip the road well.

→↑gripping