claw
claw /kl'ɔː/ (claws clawing clawed)
1 [N-COUNT] usu pl
The claws of a bird or animal are the thin, hard, curved nails at the end of its feet.
The cat tried to cling to the edge by its claws.
2 [N-COUNT] usu pl
The claws of a lobster, crab, or scorpion are the two pointed parts at the end of its legs which are used for holding things.
3 [VERB] V at n
If an animal claws at something, it scratches or damages it with its claws.
The wolf clawed at the tree and howled the whole night.
4 [VERB] V at n
To claw at something mean to try very hard to get hold of it.
His fingers clawed at Blake's wrist...
5 [VERB] V way prep/adv
If you claw your way somewhere, you move there with great difficulty, trying desperately to find things to hold on to.
Some did manage to claw their way up iron ladders to the safety of the upper deck.claw back
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron)
If someone claws back some of the money or power they had lost, they get some of it back again. (BRIT)
They will eventually be able to claw back all or most of the debt...
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
If a government claws back money, it finds a way of taking money back from people that it gave money to in another way. (BRIT)
The Chancellor will try to claw back £3.5 billion in next year's Budget.
1 [N-COUNT] usu pl
The claws of a bird or animal are the thin, hard, curved nails at the end of its feet.
The cat tried to cling to the edge by its claws.
2 [N-COUNT] usu pl
The claws of a lobster, crab, or scorpion are the two pointed parts at the end of its legs which are used for holding things.
3 [VERB] V at n
If an animal claws at something, it scratches or damages it with its claws.
The wolf clawed at the tree and howled the whole night.
4 [VERB] V at n
To claw at something mean to try very hard to get hold of it.
His fingers clawed at Blake's wrist...
5 [VERB] V way prep/adv
If you claw your way somewhere, you move there with great difficulty, trying desperately to find things to hold on to.
Some did manage to claw their way up iron ladders to the safety of the upper deck.claw back
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron)
If someone claws back some of the money or power they had lost, they get some of it back again. (BRIT)
They will eventually be able to claw back all or most of the debt...
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
If a government claws back money, it finds a way of taking money back from people that it gave money to in another way. (BRIT)
The Chancellor will try to claw back £3.5 billion in next year's Budget.