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1grab Listen to audio/ˈgræb/ verb
grabs; grabbed; grab·bing
1 : to quickly take and hold (someone or something) with your hand or arms [+ obj] She grabbed his wrist. = She grabbed him by the wrist. I have to go back in the house and grab my car keys. He tried to grab the ball out of her hands. = He tried to grab it (away) from her. He grabbed hold of a tree branch [=he grabbed a tree branch] and pulled himself out of the water. [no obj] The little boy grabbed onto his mother's leg and wouldn't let go.
2 [+ obj] : to take or get (something) in a quick and informal way
Grab me a beer, please. = Grab a beer for me, please. I'll grab a taxi and meet you there. Let's grab a bite to eat before the movie starts. Grab a seat. [=sit down] I'll be with you in a minute.
3 [+ obj] informal a : to get the attention or interest of (someone or something)
The store had a lot of nice stuff, but nothing really grabbed me. The play grabs the audience from the opening scene. How does that grab you? [=what do you think of that idea?]
b : to get or be given (something, such as attention)
One player in particular has been grabbing a lot of attention lately. A new cancer treatment grabbed (the) headlines [=it was given much attention in the news] this week.
4 [+ obj] : to take (something) usually in an unfair way
They tried to grab the largest portion of the money for themselves. He grabbed the company (away) from its founders.
grab at/for [phrasal verb]
grab at/for (someone or something) : to quickly stretch out your hand and try to touch or hold (something or someone)
People were grabbing at her as she walked through the crowd. He grabbed for the ball and missed.often used figuratively We grabbed at the chance to go. political parties grabbing for power
— grab·ber noun, plural grab·bers [count]
That outfit is a real attention grabber. a headline grabber
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