claw

claw1 [ klɔ ] noun count

1. ) usually plural the sharp curved part at the end of some animals' toes, for example a cat

2. ) usually plural the sharp curved end of a front leg of an ocean creature such as a CRAB that it uses for holding things: PINCER

3. ) a curved end on a tool or machine, used for pulling or picking things up

get your claws into someone INFORMAL

to get control over someone and make them do what you want, especially in a romantic or sexual relationship

claw

claw 2 [ klɔ ] verb

1. ) intransitive or transitive to attack someone or try to cut or tear something using claws:

The bear had clawed the tree trunk to shreds.

claw at: You could hear the dog clawing at the door.

a ) intransitive or transitive to attack someone or try to cut or tear something using your FINGERNAILS:

She clawed his left cheek with her long red nails.

claw at: His bony fingers clawed at my face.

2. ) intransitive claw at to try to take hold of something with your hands:

The children were clawing at my pant legs.

claw your way out of something/to something/back etc.

to reach a particular place, situation, or state, as a result of great effort or despite great difficulties or opposition:

The Rams had clawed their way back into the game.

,claw `back phrasal verb transitive BRITISH

to get something again that you had lost such as power, especially gradually and with difficulty

a. if a government or company claws back money after losing it, it gets it again, for example, by making people pay higher taxes or charging higher prices