clinch

/klɪntʃ/ (bre, ipa) · [klˈɪntʃ] /klɪntʃ/ (ame, ipa) · [klˈɪntʃ] /ˈklinch How to pronounce clinch (audio)/ (ame, mw)

clinch — verb

  • clinchpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • clincheshe / she / it
  • clinchedpast simple
  • clinching-ing form

1. to make an outcome certain so that a prize, position, or success is finally your

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to make an outcome certain so that a prize, position, or success is finally yours.

例句

The late penalty clinched the cup for Busan High.

clinch + the cup/title/win

Winning Friday's match would clinch a finals spot for Hiro.

clinch + a finals spot

同義詞
  • secure

    slightly broader and less dramatic; often used for gaining something safely

  • seal

    common when one action finishes a deal or victory

  • win

    more general and does not always stress the final deciding step

反義詞
  • lose

    means the result goes against you instead of becoming yours

  • throw away

    suggests wasting a chance rather than making success certain

文法句型

clinch + the title/deal/first place

[goal/result] + clinch + [prize or position] + for + [person/team]

用法筆記

The direct object is usually the thing won or secured, such as a title, a place, or a scholarship. A person or team often comes later in a 'for' phrase.

常見錯誤

❌The goal clinched us the game.
✅The goal clinched the game for us.
💡the thing won is usually the direct object, and the winner often appears in a 'for' phrase.

2. to remove the last doubt from a question or decision by giving the fact, answer,

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

to remove the last doubt from a question or decision by giving the fact, answer, or remark that settles it.

例句

Mara's calm answer clinched the argument at the family meeting.

clinch + the argument

The doctor's warning clinched it, so Bilal finally quit smoking.

that/this clinches it

同義詞
  • settle

    the closest everyday match, though it sounds less forceful

  • confirm

    shows earlier evidence was right, but not always with the same finality

  • decide

    can describe choosing something, not only ending doubt with proof

反義詞
  • reopen

    starts the discussion or question again

  • complicate

    adds more doubt instead of ending it

文法句型

clinch + the argument/case/dispute

that/this + clinches + it

用法筆記

Often used when one final piece of evidence or one decisive comment ends further discussion. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense settles a question, while sense 1 secures a result or prize.

常見錯誤

❌This clinched me to leave.
✅This clinched my decision to leave.
💡the verb settles an issue or decision; it does not normally take a person plus an infinitive.

3. to lock yourself onto someone or hold them firmly, especially to stop movement i

3.動詞及物 / 不及物C1
釋義

to lock yourself onto someone or hold them firmly, especially to stop movement in boxing or to keep them close in an embrace.

例句

The two boxers clinched near the ropes until the referee stepped in.

clinch with an opponent in boxing

At the station, Talia clinched her brother after two years apart.

clinch + someone in an embrace

同義詞
  • grapple

    stresses struggling physically with someone

  • clasp

    often gentler and more deliberate than 'clinch'

  • clutch

    focuses on gripping tightly, often from fear or urgency

反義詞
  • release

    let go instead of holding tightly

  • separate

    move apart rather than lock together

文法句型

clinch + an opponent/someone

clinch with + an opponent

用法筆記

In boxing it often appears without an object or with 'with' to show two fighters locked together. Outside sport it usually suggests a very firm hold or a close embrace.

常見錯誤

❌The boxer clinched to him.
✅The boxer clinched with him.
💡the intransitive boxing pattern normally uses 'with', not 'to'.

clinch — noun