clutch (redirected from clutching)

be in someone's clutches

fall into someone's clutches - to become influenced or controlled by someone who is likely to use their power in a bad way. She couldn't bear to think of her precious daughter being in the clutches of a religious fanatic.

clutch/grasp at straws

1. to try any method, even those that are not likely to succeed, because you are in such a bad situation. He's hoping that this new treatment will help him but I think he's clutching at straws. (usually in continuous tenses)

2. to try to find reasons to feel hopeful about a situation when there is no real cause for hope. She thinks he might still be interested because he calls her now and then but I think she's clutching at straws. (usually in continuous tenses)

See also: grasp, straw

fall into someone's clutches

to become influenced or controlled by someone who is likely to use their power in a bad way. He fell into the clutches of a nationalist terrorist group. There were fears that the weapons might fall into the enemy's clutches.

See also: fall