Definition of grab - Reverso English Dictionary
Verb
1.
actionintr. make a sudden grasping motion at somethingintr.
- She tried to grab at the falling book.
2.
sudden actiontr. seize something suddenly, sometimes illegally or unfairlytr.
- He tried to grab the last piece of cake.
3.
opportunitytr. take advantage of an opportunity eagerlytr.
- She grabbed the chance to travel abroad.
4.
attentiontr. capture someone's attention or interesttr.
- The movie trailer grabbed my attention immediately.
5.
foodtr. consume something quicklytr.
- Let's grab a quick lunch before the meeting.
Noun
1.
actionsudden snatch at something
- He made a grab for the falling book.
2.
opportunistic actact of obtaining something opportunistically
- The politician's speech was a grab for attention..
3.
mediaUS sound bite in mediaUS
- The politician's grab was played on the news.
4.
machinesTECH. mechanical device that grabs or clutchesTECH.
- The grab lifted the heavy stones easily.
Images of grab

mechanical device that grabs or clutches
Expressions with grab
💡 Discover popular phrases, idioms, collocations, or phrasal verbs. Click any expression to learn more, listen to its pronunciation, or save it to your favorites.
try to take hold of something quickly
She tried to grab at the falling book.
container with random items for surprise selection
She reached into the grab bag and pulled out a small toy..
plan to gain funds rapidly, often by exploiting others
Fans dismissed the reunion tour as a shameless money grab.
attempt to earn money quickly with little effort
Many considered the sequel to be a mere cash grab..
quickly eat a small meal
Let's grab a bite before the movie starts.
make someone notice or focus on something
The bright colors grabbed the children's attention immediately.
take an opportunity quickly
She decided to grab the chance to travel abroad.
take advantage of a chance quickly
She decided to grab the opportunity and apply for the job.
fail to attract or hold someone's attention or interest
The movie doesn't grab me because it's too slow.
have a small informal meal quickly
Let's grab a quick bite to eat at the cafe.
take a short break to smoke a cigarette
He stepped outside to grab a smoke.
take deep breaths after exertion or stress
After the race, he needed to grab some air.
attract significant media attention or coverage
The celebrity's scandal grabbed the headlines worldwide.
get ready to watch a dramatic situation
Grab the popcorn, this debate is getting heated.
attract attention to oneself
She loves to grab the spotlight at every party.
ask if something interests or appeals to you
We're going to the beach, how does that grab you?
quick theft involving seizing and escaping
The thief executed a snatch and grab at the store.
take control of a situation assertively
She grabbed the project by the lapels and led it to success.
unfair tax increase by authorities for more revenue
The new policy is seen as a tax grab by critics.
hail a taxi for a ride
We need to grab a cab to get to the airport.
take an opportunity quickly
He decided to grab a chance to travel abroad.
take a drink quickly and casually
Let's grab a drink before the movie.
take hold of something quickly
He managed to grab a hold of the rope just in time.
shower briefly due to time constraints
She managed to grab a quick shower between classes.
Origin of grab
Middle Dutch, grabben (to grab)
Terms with grab included in their meaning
💡 A powerful way to uncover related words, idioms, and expressions linked by the same idea — and explore meaning beyond exact word matches.
grab hold
capture or seize someone or something
grab
holding something tightly around its neck
prize crane
arcade game with a claw to grab prizes
arcade hardware
arcade machine with a claw to grab prizes
playful warning
used jokingly or playfully when someone reaches to grab or tease
interaction
physically touch or grab someone
physical action
extend an arm to touch or grab something
grabbing action
quick, sudden grab or movement
proximity
close enough to touch or grab
attack
attempt to seize or grab quickly
physical action
grab someone by the neck or the upper part of clothing
communication
used to grab attention before speaking seriously
snatching
lift or grab something suddenly
grab
take hold of quickly and firmly
physical action
try to grab something quickly or desperately
grab
gain control or possession of something, often eagerly or aggressively
physical action
hold or grab someone's neck forcefully
attention
used to grab someone's attention before speaking
action
grab something quickly and firmly with your hand
movement
try quickly to grab something with your hand
urgency
grab quickly and eagerly
grab theft
crime of quickly stealing from someone in public
grab
take hold of something quickly
playful
used to grab someone's attention playfully
Examples of grab in a sentence
He grabbed at the railing when the bus lurched. Someone tried to grab her purse on the subway. He grabbed the microphone and interrupted the speaker. He grabbed the opportunity to lead the project. They grabbed the offer before it expired. The speaker's story grabbed the audience instantly.
Her unique style grabbed everyone's attention at the event. I grabbed breakfast on the way to work. We can grab sandwiches after practice. Her grab missed the loose handle. The toddler made a grab at the balloon. The land grab was seen as unethical. His sudden grab for power surprised everyone. The grab from the interview went viral. Editors selected a grab for the headline. The construction site used a grab to move debris. A malfunction in the grab halted the operation.
View all translations of grab
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:attraper, tentative de saisie, ...
- German:nach etwas greifen, Griff, ...
- Italian:afferrare, tentativo di afferrare, ...
- Spanish:lanzar la mano hacia, arrebato, ...
- Portuguese:agarrar, arrebatamento, ...
- Chinese:抓向, 抢抓, ...
- Japanese:つかもうとする, つかみ取り, ...
- Arabic:خَطَفَ, خَطْفَة, ...
- Hebrew:לַחְטוֹף, חֲטִיפָה, ...
- Russian:хватать, рывок, ...
- Ukrainian:хапатися, хапання, ...
- Hindi:झपटना, झपट्टा, ...
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