Grapple
'ɡræpəl
Definitions
2 meaningsTo struggle with or to come to grips with something; to engage in a close fight or struggle.
'ɡræpəl
To engage in a close fight or struggle without weapons; to wrestle.
The soldiers grappled with the enemy in hand-to-hand combat.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're trying to open a jar, and it's stuck. You're grappling with it! It's like a close, physical struggle, or a mental one when you're dealing with a tough problem.
👶 For kids: To fight or wrestle with someone or something.
More Examples
He grappled with the complex problem for hours.
The two teams grappled for possession of the ball.
How It's Used
"The wrestlers grappled fiercely on the mat."
"She had to grapple with her doubts before making a decision."
To seize or grip something firmly with the hands or a grappling hook.
'ɡræpəl
To seize or grip something firmly.
The climbers grappled the rope to ascend the cliff.
💡 Simply: Imagine using a hook to pull something towards you. You are grappling with it! It's like you're trying to grab or hold something tightly.
👶 For kids: To grab something tightly with your hands or with a hook.
More Examples
He grappled the bag of groceries from the cart.
The ship grappled the anchor to hold it in place.
How It's Used
"The ship used a grappling hook to secure the pier."
"The detective grappled the evidence to build his case."
Synonyms
Battle
Clash
Contend
Fight
Clutch
Grab
Grasp
Grip
Idioms & expressions
grapple with a problem
To try to deal with or overcome a problem.
"He is grappling with the ethical implications of his research."
From Middle English *grapelen*, a frequentative of *grap* (to seize, grasp), from Old French *graper* (to seize with a hook or claw), of Germanic origin.
The word has been used since the late 14th century, evolving from its origins in seizing or grasping to encompass physical and metaphorical struggles.
Memory tip
Imagine a wrestler tightly GRAPPLING with their opponent.