There is a lot of confusion between GRIP, GRAB, GRASP, CLASP, CLUTCH.
They really have much in common, but there is also some difference between them in certain contexts.
Let’s start with GRIP, GRAB and GRASP.
Whereas GRIP just means hold on to something.
CLUTCH means basically the same — holding onto something, but usually in the manner of a beast.
GRAB means take something quickly in your hand. It is very close to SNATCH but means more firmness and even rudeness.
GRASP presupposes that you have to reach out to hold something. Which means, that originally your hand was not on the subject. It also means the power, or ability, to reach or to attain something.
Another meaning of GRASP is understanding, comprehension. But here, again, we cancome across some confusion:
Here are 2 examples:
"You will have a better GRASP on the subject after this lesson, I am sure.”
And:
"Mary has a good GRIP on Maths.”
These last two phrasesare very close, but GRIP suggests more control on the subject, more effort to retain it. Like in "This teacher always has a good GRIP on his class of difficult students.”
All these words enter various word combinations. Here are some for you to remember:
"GRASP at a straw" — a measure one turns to when in a desperate situation.
"GRASP the nettle": it used to be a part of a proverb "grasp the nettle and it won't sting you”. Now this phrase means "to approach a difficult situation with courage".
"Within one’s GRASP" — within somebody’s abilities.
GRIP: If somebody is acting in acrazy way, you may advise him "to get a better GRIP on himself.”
"To come to grips with something or somebody” — to face or to come to know better.
You may also GRAB the oportunity to do something
| 