grab hold of

grab hold of — idiom

1. to reach out quickly and take a firm, strong grip on a person or thing with your

1.idiomB1
Definition

to reach out quickly and take a firm, strong grip on a person or thing with your hand or arms, keeping them from getting free or falling

Example

Ngozi grabbed hold of the railing as the crowded bus lurched forward.

grab hold of + object for steadying oneself in sudden motion

Dimitri grabbed hold of his daughter's hand before they stepped into the busy street.

Common collocations
  • grab hold of someone's arm
  • grab hold of someone's hand
  • grab hold of the railing
  • grab hold of the rope
  • grab hold of the ladder
Synonyms
  • seize

    more formal; can also describe taking abstract things (seize an opportunity)

  • clutch

    suggests holding tightly, often from fear or desperation

  • grasp

    more neutral; commonly used for understanding as well as physical holding

Antonyms
  • release

    to let go deliberately

  • let go of

    the everyday opposite — loosening your grip

Grammar Patterns

grab hold of + noun/noun phrase

Usage Note

Emphasizes both the speed of the initial action and the firmness of the grip that follows — more forceful than simply 'take hold of' or 'catch'.

Common Mistakes

She grabbed hold of the concept right away.
She grasped the concept right away.
'grab hold of' is for physical people and objects, not abstract ideas.