grab
♦ grab /gr'æb/ (grabs grabbing grabbed)
1 [VERB] V n, V n by/round n
If you grab something, you take it or pick it up suddenly and roughly.
I managed to grab her hand...
I grabbed him by the neck.
2 [VERB] V at n
If you grab at something, you try to grab it.
He was clumsily trying to grab at Alfred's arms.
[N-COUNT] usu sing, N for/at n
Grab is also a noun.
I made a grab for the knife...
Mr Penrose made a grab at his collar.
3 [VERB] V n
If you grab someone who is walking past, you succeed in getting their attention. (INFORMAL)
Grab that waiter, Mary Ann.
4 [VERB] V n
If you grab someone's attention, you do something in order to make them notice you.
I jumped on the wall to grab the attention of the crowd.
5 [VERB] V n
If you grab something such as food, drink, or sleep, you manage to get some quickly. (INFORMAL)
Grab a beer.
6 [VERB] V n, V at n
If you grab something such as a chance or opportunity, or grab at it, you take advantage of it eagerly.
She grabbed the chance of a job interview...
He grabbed at the opportunity to buy his castle.
= seize
7 [N-COUNT] usu sing, N for n
A grab for something such as power or fame is an attempt to gain it.
...a grab for personal power.
8
to grab hold of: see hold
see also smash-and-grab
9 [PHRASE] usu v-link PHR
If something is up for grabs, it is available to anyone who is interested. (INFORMAL)
The famous Ritz hotel is up for grabs for £100m.grab bag (grab bags)
1 [N-COUNT]
A grab bag is a game in which you take a prize out of a container full of hidden prizes. (AM; in BRIT, use lucky dip)
2 [N-COUNT] usu N of n
A grab bag of things, ideas, or people is a varied group of them.
...a fascinating grab-bag of documents about the life of Liszt.
1 [VERB] V n, V n by/round n
If you grab something, you take it or pick it up suddenly and roughly.
I managed to grab her hand...
I grabbed him by the neck.
2 [VERB] V at n
If you grab at something, you try to grab it.
He was clumsily trying to grab at Alfred's arms.
[N-COUNT] usu sing, N for/at n
Grab is also a noun.
I made a grab for the knife...
Mr Penrose made a grab at his collar.
3 [VERB] V n
If you grab someone who is walking past, you succeed in getting their attention. (INFORMAL)
Grab that waiter, Mary Ann.
4 [VERB] V n
If you grab someone's attention, you do something in order to make them notice you.
I jumped on the wall to grab the attention of the crowd.
5 [VERB] V n
If you grab something such as food, drink, or sleep, you manage to get some quickly. (INFORMAL)
Grab a beer.
6 [VERB] V n, V at n
If you grab something such as a chance or opportunity, or grab at it, you take advantage of it eagerly.
She grabbed the chance of a job interview...
He grabbed at the opportunity to buy his castle.
= seize
7 [N-COUNT] usu sing, N for n
A grab for something such as power or fame is an attempt to gain it.
...a grab for personal power.
8
to grab hold of: see hold
see also smash-and-grab
9 [PHRASE] usu v-link PHR
If something is up for grabs, it is available to anyone who is interested. (INFORMAL)
The famous Ritz hotel is up for grabs for £100m.grab bag (grab bags)
1 [N-COUNT]
A grab bag is a game in which you take a prize out of a container full of hidden prizes. (AM; in BRIT, use lucky dip)
2 [N-COUNT] usu N of n
A grab bag of things, ideas, or people is a varied group of them.
...a fascinating grab-bag of documents about the life of Liszt.