grip

grip1 [ grıp ] noun **

▸ 1 firm strong hold

▸ 2 power/control

▸ 3 part of object for holding

▸ 4 someone who moves cameras

▸ 5 small bag for traveling

▸ 6 for holding hair

▸ + PHRASES

1. ) singular a firm strong hold:

Marguerite took my hand in a surprisingly strong grip.

tighten your grip: Pete tightened his grip on her arm.

release/loosen your grip: She loosened her grip on the steering-wheel.

a ) singular or uncount if shoes or tires have grip, they hold a surface firmly and do not slip:

I need some winter boots with a better grip.

2. ) singular grip on power and control over someone or something:

The President struggled to regain his grip on power.

The church no longer has a strong grip on the population.

3. ) count the part of an object that has a special rough surface that you can hold firmly in your hands

4. ) count someone whose job is to move cameras around while television programs or movies are being made

5. ) count OLD-FASHIONED a small bag that you use when traveling

6. ) count BRITISH a BOBBY PIN

be in the grip of something

to be in a difficult or unpleasant situation:

The country was in the grip of an economic crisis.

The forest is still in the grip of winter.

come to grips with something

to start to deal with a problem, situation, or job that you have to do

get a grip on something

to begin to understand a difficult situation and start to find a way of dealing with it

get a grip (on yourself) SPOKEN

to make an effort to control your emotions or your behavior:

For God's sake get a grip!

lose your grip (on something)

to become less able to understand things or deal with them:

Are you starting to lose your grip on reality?

grip

grip 2 [ grıp ] verb **

1. ) transitive to hold something tightly:

She gripped Frank's hand firmly to show her support.

Although the car was stationary, his hands were still gripping the wheel.

a ) intransitive or transitive if shoes or tires grip, they hold a surface firmly and so do not slip

2. ) transitive to have a strong effect on someone:

A feeling of fear gripped the crowd.

Britain was still gripped by recession.

3. ) transitive to keep someone very interested in something:

The case has gripped the public because of the celebrities involved.