clutch — to hold tightly or grasp firmly
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to hold tightly or grasp firmly
Pronunciation (IPA): /klʌtʃ/
Example Sentences
- During the horror movie, she clutched her boyfriend's arm so tightly that he lost circulation.
- The new driver stalled the car because he released the clutch too quickly.
- She clutched her lottery ticket like it was made of gold, even though she hadn't checked the numbers yet.
clutch
VERB[/klʌtʃ/]
to hold tightly or grasp firmly
She clutched her child's hand while crossing the busy street.
The basketball player made a clutch shot in the final second.
"In the clutch, you need the touch — when pressure mounts, it matters much."
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Clutch derives from Old English 'clyccan', meaning 'to clench' or 'to grasp tightly'. The word evokes the imagery of fingers bending and curling to grip something firmly.
Breakdown
Old English clyccan (to clench, grasp) → Middle English clutchen → Modern English clutch. The root suggests a curling or bending motion associated with gripping.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“During the horror movie, she clutched her boyfriend's arm so tightly that he lost circulation.”
“The new driver stalled the car because he released the clutch too quickly.”
“She clutched her lottery ticket like it was made of gold, even though she hadn't checked the numbers yet.”
“The basketball player made a clutch shot in the final seconds to win the game.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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