Clutch
/klʌtʃ/
Definitions
2 meaningsA firm grasp or hold; a mechanical device for engaging or disengaging power transmission.
/klʌtʃ/
A grasp or grip.
She had a tight clutch on her purse.
💡 Simply: Imagine grabbing something really tight! That's a clutch. Like when you clutch your teddy bear at night, or a car uses a clutch to start moving.
👶 For kids: Holding something super tight!
More Examples
The car's clutch slipped.
How It's Used
"He held onto the railing with a firm clutch."
"The car's clutch was worn out."
To grasp or hold tightly.
/klʌtʃ/
To grasp or grip tightly.
He clutched the steering wheel.
💡 Simply: To grab something really hard, like when you're scared and you clutch your stuffed animal.
👶 For kids: To hold something very, very tight.
More Examples
She clutched at her throat.
How It's Used
"She clutched her handbag nervously."
"The goalkeeper clutched the ball."
Idioms & expressions
in the clutch
In a critical or difficult situation.
"The team was in the clutch in the final seconds of the game."
From Middle English *clucchen, from Old English *clūcċian, from Proto-Germanic *klukkjan, related to Old High German *chluccan (“to peck, snatch”).
The word 'clutch' has maintained its core meaning of grasping tightly throughout history, though its mechanical usage is more recent.
Memory tip
Think of a chicken clutching its eggs.
Word Origin
"To grasp or seize"