grab
/ɡræb/ (bre, ipa) · /ɡræb/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈgrab/ (ame, mw)
grab — verb
- grabpresent simple I / you / we / they
- grabshe / she / it
- grabbedpast simple
- grabbing-ing form
1. to take or pull at something or someone using a quick, strong hand movement, oft
to take or pull at something or someone using a quick, strong hand movement, often before the other person can move away
Adina grabbed the boy's arm just before he ran into the road.
transitive: grab + noun phrase (person or object)
The kitten grabbed at the edge of the blanket with its tiny claws.
intransitive: grab at + noun phrase
Min grabbed the handlebar as the bus suddenly stopped.
A thief grabbed Cyrus's phone and disappeared into the crowd.
- release
to let go of something you were holding
文法句型
grab + noun phrase
grab at + noun phrase
用法筆記
The intransitive form 'grab at' often suggests trying to reach and hold something without being sure of catching it. 'Grab' without 'at' implies a successful hold.
常見錯誤
2. to take or get something quickly and eagerly, especially when time is short or w
to take or get something quickly and eagerly, especially when time is short or when many people want the same thing
Chidi grabbed the last bus seat just as the doors closed behind him.
grab + limited resource (seat, spot, ticket)
Padma grabbed a sandwich from the fridge between back-to-back meetings.
grab + quick meal or drink in a hurry
When the company offered early retirement packages, Lakan grabbed the chance.
Mateo grabbed the last copy of the textbook before the store sold out.
- snap up
even more eager than 'grab'; suggests buying or taking something quickly before others can
- seize
more formal; implies taking an opportunity with determination
- grab hold of
more emphatic and slightly longer; suggests a more deliberate action
文法句型
grab + noun phrase (food, seat, opportunity, chance, etc.)
用法筆記
Common in informal speech. Not used in formal writing. Often describes everyday actions like getting food, finding a seat, or accepting an offer.
3. to strongly attract and hold someone's interest or attention, making them want t
to strongly attract and hold someone's interest or attention, making them want to look or listen
The opening scene of the film grabbed the audience's attention immediately.
collocation: grab + [someone's] attention
What really grabs Adina about this novel is the way the writer describes each character.
informal pattern: 'what grabs [someone] about [something]'
A bright, bold headline is the fastest way to grab a reader's interest.
A short video helped the teacher grab the class's attention on the first day.
- bore
to fail to interest or attract someone's attention
文法句型
grab + someone's + attention/interest/imagination
what grabs me/him/her about + noun phrase
用法筆記
The subject is usually a thing (film, article, image, design, performance) rather than a person. 'Grab someone's attention' is much more common than 'grab someone's interest'.
常見錯誤
grab — noun
- grabsingular
- grabsplural
1. a quick, often forceful, effort to take or get something, sometimes in a way tha
a quick, often forceful, effort to take or get something, sometimes in a way that is not fair
The thief made a grab for the old man's shopping bag and ran away.
pattern: make a grab for [something/someone]
The company's land grab angered local farmers who had worked there for decades.
compound noun: land grab / power grab
Quinn's grab for the ball missed, and the other team scored the winning goal.
Critics called the politician's move a desperate grab for power.
文法句型
a grab for + noun phrase
make a grab for + noun phrase
用法筆記
Commonly used in compounds like 'land grab', 'power grab', and 'territory grab'. In these, the noun before 'grab' names what is being taken, and the tone is usually critical.
常見錯誤
grab — adjective
- grabpositive
- grabbercomparative
- grabbestsuperlative
1. made for quick taking and using, often without any special preparation or waitin
made for quick taking and using, often without any special preparation or waiting
The airport has several grab-and-go counters where travellers can buy snacks quickly.
compound: grab-and-go (common fixed phrase)
Eliska bought a grab bag of mixed toys for her nephew's birthday.
compound: grab bag (bag of items sold without revealing contents)
The hotel serves a grab breakfast that guests can take to their rooms.
The store has a grab-and-go section for busy commuters who need a quick breakfast.
- ready-made
implies the item is already prepared, not that it can be taken quickly
- quick-service
used for restaurants, not for general objects
- sit-down
used for meals that require waiting and table service
文法句型
grab + noun phrase (attributive use)
用法筆記
Most commonly appears in fixed compounds like 'grab bag' and 'grab-and-go'. 'Grab bag' can also mean a miscellaneous collection. This sense is primarily American English.
2. chosen or taken without any careful selection process, intended to be a typical
chosen or taken without any careful selection process, intended to be a typical example of a larger group
The inspectors tested a grab sample of the products to check for quality problems.
compound: grab sample (technical/statistical term)
A grab sample of the river water was taken to test for pollution levels.
compound: grab sample (environmental testing domain)
Scientists collected a grab sample of the soil to check for contamination after the flood.
The laboratory analyzed a grab sample of the air near the factory for harmful particles.
- systematic
done according to a planned method, not by random choice
文法句型
grab + noun phrase (attributive use)
用法筆記
Common in technical and statistical contexts ('grab sample'). In everyday speech, this sense is very rare.