grab

*bite (to eat)

to get something to eat; to get food that can be eaten quickly. (*Typically: get ~; grab ~; have~.) I need a few minutes to grab a bite to eat. Bob often tries to get a bite between meetings.

See also: bite

grab someone or something away (from someone or something)

to snatch someone or something away from someone or something. Harry's aunt grabbed the dirty candy away from him before he got it in his mouth. I grabbed away the meat from the dog.

See also: away

grab someone's attention and get someone's attention; grip someone's attention

Fig. to draw or attract someone's attention. The bright colors on the poster are there to grab your attention. The scary movie gripped my attention.

See also: attention

grab a chair and grab a seat

Fig. to quickly sit down in a seat. Grab a chair and join the group!

See also: chair

grab at someone or something and grab for someone or something

to grasp quickly at someone or something; to try to seize someone or something. He grabbed at me, but I got away unscathed. I grabbed at the rope, but missed. The teacher grabbed for the little boy and held him.

grab on (to someone or something)

to grasp someone or something; to hold onto someone or something. Here, grab onto this rope! Grab on and hold tight.

How does that grab you?

Inf. What do you think of that? (Pronounced more like HowZAT grab ya?.) Looks good, okay? How does that grab you? How does that grab you? Enough salt?

See also: does, how

make a grab at someone or something

to grasp at someone or something. Don made a grab at Betsy, but she eluded him. Kelly made a grab at the ball, but it went on past her.

See also: make

up for grabs 

1. Fig. available for anyone; not yet claimed. The election is up for grabs. Everything is still very chancy. I don't know who will get the promotion. It's up for grabs.

2. Fig. in total chaos. This is a madhouse. The whole place is up for grabs. When the market crashed, the whole office was up for grabs.

See also: up

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a grab bag  (American & Australian)

a mixture of different types of things (often + of ) Airlines are offering a grab bag of discounts, air miles and car rentals to attract customers.

See also: bag

up for grabs  (informal)

if something is up for grabs, it is available to anyone who wants to compete for it We've got $1000 up for grabs in our new quiz. All you have to do is call this number.

See also: up

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grab you by the throat

to completely hold your attention or emotions Jealousy grabbed him by the throat and destroyed his marriage.

Usage notes: also used in the forms take you by the throat or hold you by the throat: This is an adventure that takes you by the throat and doesn't let you go until the end of the film.

See also: throat

up for grabs

available to anyone who wants to compete for it The state's senate seat will be up for grabs in the next election.

See also: up