Grab
/ɡræb/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo take hold of something quickly or suddenly.
/ɡræb/
To seize or take hold of something suddenly and roughly.
He grabbed the phone as it started to ring.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're super hungry and see a cookie. 'Grab' means you snatch it up quickly!
👶 For kids: To quickly take something with your hand.
More Examples
She grabbed a chair and sat down.
He grabbed the opportunity to speak.
How It's Used
"She grabbed her keys and ran out the door."
"The outfielder grabbed the ball just before it hit the ground."
To obtain or acquire something, often quickly or informally.
/ɡræb/
To obtain something informally or without permission.
Let's grab a bite to eat before the movie.
💡 Simply: Like when you quickly take something, like grabbing a quick bite to eat.
👶 For kids: To get or take something quickly, like a snack.
More Examples
I'm going to grab my coat.
He grabbed the attention of the audience.
How It's Used
"I'm going to grab a coffee."
"She's trying to grab power."
An act of seizing or taking something quickly.
/ɡræb/
A sudden attempt to seize or grasp something.
He made a grab for the door handle as he slipped.
💡 Simply: It's when you make a quick move to catch something.
👶 For kids: A quick try to get something with your hand.
More Examples
The robber made a grab for the purse.
The outfielder made a diving grab.
How It's Used
"He made a desperate grab for the ball."
"He made a grab for the money."
Idioms & expressions
grab a bite
To get something to eat quickly and casually.
"Let's grab a bite before the meeting starts."
grab someone's attention
To cause someone to notice or pay attention to something.
"The speaker used a shocking statistic to grab the audience's attention."
From Middle Dutch *grabben* or Low German *grabben*, meaning 'to seize'. Cognate with Old English *græppian* ('to grasp').
The word has been used in English since the late 15th century. It originally referred to a grasping action.
Memory tip
Imagine a quick, decisive movement of your hand.
Word Origin
"to seize, grasp"