clutches
clutches — verb
1. to hold on to something or someone very tightly with your hand, often because yo
to hold on to something or someone very tightly with your hand, often because you are afraid, in pain, or trying not to drop it.
Asher clutched the railing as the boat rocked in the storm.
clutch + noun for holding tightly out of fear
Noor clutched her bag to her chest as she walked through the dark alley.
clutch + noun + to + body part
The toddler clutched a stuffed rabbit while the nurse gave her the injection.
Tara clutched her stomach and groaned after eating the spicy curry.
Élise clutched the letter so hard that her knuckles turned white.
文法句型
clutch + noun
clutch + noun + preposition + body part
用法筆記
Subject is usually a person; object is usually something held in the hand or pressed against the body. Strongly suggests emotion (fear, pain, panic) rather than a calm grip.
常見錯誤
2. to try to take hold of something quickly, often by stretching out your hand beca
to try to take hold of something quickly, often by stretching out your hand because you are falling, drowning, or desperate.
Hyun clutched at the rope as she slipped down the cliff face.
clutch at + noun for desperate grabbing
The swimmer clutched at the side of the pool, gasping for breath.
Nadia clutched at her father's sleeve as the crowd pushed them apart.
The old man clutched at the wall to keep himself from falling on the wet floor.
文法句型
clutch at + noun
用法筆記
Almost always followed by 'at'. Distinguishes from sense 1: 'clutch at' implies the attempt may fail, while 'clutch + noun' implies a successful tight hold.
常見錯誤
3. to press down the clutch pedal in a manual car so that you can change gear.
to press down the clutch pedal in a manual car so that you can change gear.
Christopher had to clutch and change gear quickly to climb the steep hill.
clutch + change gear
Sana learned to clutch smoothly during her first driving lesson on Andrés's old car.
The driver forgot to clutch and the engine stalled at the traffic lights.
Emily had to clutch twice to shift into reverse on the rented van.
- declutch
more technical term in driving manuals
文法句型
clutch (no object)
用法筆記
Almost never used in everyday speech outside driving instruction; most speakers say 'press the clutch' or 'use the clutch'. Only applies to manual-transmission cars.
常見錯誤
clutches — noun
1. the pedal in a manual car that you press with your foot to change gear, or the p
the pedal in a manual car that you press with your foot to change gear, or the part inside the car that connects and disconnects the engine from the wheels.
Kwame pressed the clutch and shifted the old jeep into second gear.
press + the clutch + and + shift
The clutch on Chiara's hatchback started slipping after twelve years of city driving.
the clutch + slip for wear
The mechanic told Andrés that his clutch would need replacing within six months.
Release the clutch slowly or the car will jerk forward and stall.
- coupling
more technical engineering term for the mechanical part
文法句型
the clutch
release the clutch
用法筆記
Usually with the definite article ('the clutch'). The same word covers both the pedal you press and the mechanical part it controls — context tells you which.
常見錯誤
2. the power that a person or group has over someone, especially when that power is
the power that a person or group has over someone, especially when that power is used in a harsh or cruel way and the person cannot escape it.
The young workers were trapped in the clutches of a boss who underpaid them for years.
in the clutches of + person
Tara managed to escape the clutches of the loan shark by moving to another town.
escape the clutches of + person
The villagers lived for decades in the clutches of a corrupt local official.
Once a child falls into the clutches of a gambling habit, breaking free is very hard.
- freedom
the state of being released from such control
文法句型
in someone's clutches
fall into the clutches of someone
用法筆記
Almost always plural ('clutches'). Strongly negative — the controller is presented as cruel, criminal, or exploitative; the controlled person is presented as a victim.
常見錯誤
3. a single quick movement in which a hand or claw closes tightly around something.
a single quick movement in which a hand or claw closes tightly around something.
With one clutch of its talons, the hawk lifted the small rabbit off the ground.
a clutch of + body part
Nadia felt a sudden clutch at her elbow and turned to see her grandmother behind her.
a clutch at + body part
The wrestler broke free with a sharp clutch of his opponent's wrist.
A firm clutch of the steering wheel saved the driver from sliding off the icy road.
文法句型
a clutch of/at + noun
with a clutch
用法筆記
Often appears with 'of' (clutch of talons / fingers) or 'at' (clutch at the arm). Refers to the grabbing event itself, not the ongoing hold.
4. a key moment in a sports game or a tense situation when success or failure is de
a key moment in a sports game or a tense situation when success or failure is decided, especially near the end.
Christopher always seems to score points in the clutch when his basketball team needs them most.
in the clutch + sports context
The young pitcher came through in the clutch and struck out the final batter.
come through in the clutch
Emily proved she could perform in the clutch by closing the deal one minute before the deadline.
Sana's free throw in the final second showed she could handle the clutch.
- crunch time
informal; also American; very similar meaning
- the crucial moment
more neutral and international
文法句型
in the clutch
come through in the clutch
用法筆記
Strongly American English, and strongly tied to sports commentary (basketball, baseball, American football). British speakers usually say 'when it really matters' or 'at the crucial moment'.
5. a small flat bag without handles or a strap, carried in your hand, usually used
a small flat bag without handles or a strap, carried in your hand, usually used at formal evening events.
Chiara matched her silver clutch to the silver buttons on her evening dress.
a + colour + clutch
Élise tucked her phone and lipstick into a velvet clutch before the wedding reception.
The shop sold beaded clutches made by women in a fair-trade workshop in Kenya.
A small black clutch is the most useful bag to own for formal events.
- clutch bag
the longer full form; very common in fashion writing
- evening bag
broader; may include small bags with thin chains
- shoulder bag
has a long strap worn over the shoulder
- tote
large open bag with two handles
文法句型
a clutch
an evening clutch
用法筆記
Also called a 'clutch bag' or 'clutch purse'. The defining feature is the lack of a handle or strap — you carry it pressed in your hand or under your arm.
常見錯誤
6. all the eggs that a bird lays at one time, or all the baby birds that hatch from
all the eggs that a bird lays at one time, or all the baby birds that hatch from those eggs together.
The hen sat on a clutch of seven eggs in the corner of the barn.
a clutch of + number + eggs
A clutch of yellow ducklings followed their mother across the farmyard.
a clutch of + baby birds
Most robins lay a clutch of three to five eggs each spring.
The fox attacked the nest and ate the entire clutch overnight.
文法句型
a clutch of eggs
a clutch of chicks
用法筆記
Always with 'of' when the eggs or chicks are named; the size of a 'clutch' depends on the species (chickens lay larger clutches than eagles). Used in birdwatching, farming, and biology writing.
常見錯誤
7. a small number of people or things that are together in one place at the same ti
a small number of people or things that are together in one place at the same time.
A clutch of tourists waited outside the museum for the rain to stop.
a clutch of + people
Hyun received a clutch of awards at the school's end-of-year ceremony.
a clutch of + countable things
The judges shortlisted a clutch of promising young chefs for the final round.
A clutch of new cafes opened on the same street within three months.
文法句型
a clutch of + plural noun
用法筆記
Less common than 'group' or 'bunch'; sounds slightly literary or journalistic. Suggests the items appeared close together in time or space, often by chance.
常見錯誤
clutches — adjective
1. describing a play, shot, or moment in a sports game that happens at a key moment
describing a play, shot, or moment in a sports game that happens at a key moment when the game could be won or lost.
The point guard made a clutch three-pointer with two seconds left on the clock.
clutch + sports noun
Andrés's clutch catch in the ninth inning saved the game for his team.
Emily's clutch goal in extra time sent the school to the regional final.
Only a clutch save by the goalkeeper kept the score level until full time.
- routine
ordinary; not under any pressure
文法句型
clutch + noun (sports)
用法筆記
Attributive only — sits before a noun ('a clutch shot'), never after 'be' ('the shot was clutch' is rare slang). Almost entirely sports vocabulary; sportscaster register.
常見錯誤
2. describing a player or performer who reliably succeeds at key moments when the g
describing a player or performer who reliably succeeds at key moments when the game or test is on the line.
Coaches across the league agreed that Kwame had become the most clutch shooter on the team.
clutch + player noun
Nadia is a clutch performer who scores higher on the final exam than on any practice test.
clutch + performer outside sports
Every championship team needs a clutch kicker who can handle the pressure of the final minute.
Quinn's coach described her as a clutch player who never panicked at match point.
- reliable under pressure
longer descriptive phrase; less punchy
- money
American slang adjective with very similar meaning ('a money player')
- choke artist
informal noun for a player who fails under pressure
文法句型
a clutch + player/performer
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 describes the action (a clutch shot), sense 2 describes the person who reliably makes such actions (a clutch shooter). Often used in praise.