grabbed
grabbed — verb
- grabbedpresent simple I / you / we / they
- grabbeds3rd person singular
- grabbeding-ing form
- grabbededpast simple
1. to quickly and forcefully take something in your hand or pull someone or somethi
to quickly and forcefully take something in your hand or pull someone or something toward you
Felix grabbed his coat and ran out the door when the fire alarm went off.
grab + object for quick action
The little boy grabbed at his mother's shirt to get her attention.
grab at + object for attempted grasp
Camila grabbed the rail to keep from falling down the stairs.
Someone grabbed Karim's arm and pulled him back from the edge of the platform.
Abigail grabbed hold of the rope and held on tight while the boat rocked.
- release
to let go of something you are holding
文法句型
grab + object
grab at/for + object
用法筆記
Used transitively (grab something) or intransitively with at/for (grab at something = try to grab). Frequently used in imperative commands ('Grab that!').
常見錯誤
2. to take advantage of an opportunity or obtain something quickly, often before an
to take advantage of an opportunity or obtain something quickly, often before anyone else can
Yumi grabbed the last ticket for the concert before it sold out.
grab + scarce item before others
Jorge knew he had to grab the chance to study in Singapore before the deadline.
Mei grabbed a sandwich from the cafe between classes with no time for lunch.
Marco grabbed a seat near the front of the classroom before anyone else arrived.
文法句型
grab + object (opportunity/seat/food/thing)
用法筆記
Very common in informal spoken English to mean 'quickly get or do something'. With food or drink, it suggests something casual and fast rather than a full meal.
常見錯誤
3. to cause someone to notice something or to feel strongly interested in it
to cause someone to notice something or to feel strongly interested in it
The bright red cover of the book grabbed my attention right away.
collocation: grab attention
Anjali's powerful speech grabbed the audience from the very first sentence.
What really grabs me about this painting is the way it uses light and shadow.
The new bookstore grabbed shoppers' attention with a colorful display in the front window.
- bore
to fail to interest someone
文法句型
grab + object (attention/interest/imagination)
用法筆記
The object is typically an abstract noun like attention, interest, or imagination, not a person or physical object. 'Grab me' in this sense is informal and evaluative ('This music really grabs me').
4. to get something in a way that is dishonest, unfair, or uses force
to get something in a way that is dishonest, unfair, or uses force
The company grabbed the land from local farmers without paying a fair price.
grab + resource obtained unfairly
The general grabbed power by force after the election was declared invalid.
Critics say the corporation grabbed control of the water supply through illegal contracts.
During the chaos of the war, soldiers grabbed whatever valuables they could from abandoned houses.
- seize
less negative; can be legal or illegal
- usurp
formal, specifically about taking power or position illegally
- appropriate
formal, suggests taking for oneself without permission
- surrender
to give up something willingly
文法句型
grab + object (land/power/control/resources)
用法筆記
Often used in political or economic contexts to describe taking land, power, or resources. The subject is typically a group, company, or government rather than an individual.
grabbed — noun
1. a sudden movement of your hand to take or hold something
a sudden movement of your hand to take or hold something
Tuan made a grab for the ball but missed it by inches.
phrase: make a grab for + object
The baby made a sudden grab at the shiny necklace around her mother's neck.
Tendai's desperate grab for the railing saved him from falling off the ladder.
People made a wild grab for the last life jacket as the boat sank.
文法句型
make a grab for/at + object
用法筆記
Nearly always used in the phrase 'make a grab for/at something'. Can be physical (reaching for an object) or metaphorical (trying to get something desirable).
2. a mechanical tool used for taking hold of and moving objects, especially in cons
a mechanical tool used for taking hold of and moving objects, especially in construction, shipping, or industry
The crane operator used a grab to lift the heavy steel beams onto the bridge.
mechanical grab for lifting objects
A hydraulic grab is ideal for moving loose materials like sand and gravel.
The ship unloads its cargo using a large mechanical grab that scoops up grain.
The excavator's grab can pick up and carry rocks weighing several tons.
用法筆記
Technical term common in engineering and construction. Not used in everyday conversation.
grabbed — adjective
- grabbedpositive
- grabbedercomparative
- grabbedestsuperlative
1. designed so that people can pick it up quickly, like small items placed near a s
designed so that people can pick it up quickly, like small items placed near a store checkout counter
A grab basket of energy bars sits next to the supermarket checkout for hungry shoppers.
collocation: grab basket / grab bag
The hotel offers a grab bag with a toothbrush, toothpaste, and comb for forgetful guests.
The convenience store sells grab bags of trail mix and dried fruit near the register.
The bookstore's grab bag costs only five dollars and contains three random paperbacks.
文法句型
grab + noun (bag/box/sample)
用法筆記
Only used before a noun (attributive position). Most common in the fixed phrases 'grab bag' and 'grab basket'. A grab bag is also a game where people pick prizes from a bag without knowing what they will get.
2. chosen or collected without any particular order, system, or purpose
chosen or collected without any particular order, system, or purpose
The quality inspector took a grab sample of five tiles from each batch for testing.
collocation: grab sample
The research team used a grab method to interview passengers at the bus station.
A grab selection of ten laptops from the production line was sent for testing.
The supervisor did a grab check of shelf C by counting items near the front.
- random
broader meaning; not limited to quick or convenient selection
- systematic
following a planned order or method
文法句型
grab + noun (sample/method/selection)
用法筆記
Only used before a noun. Common in research, testing, and inventory contexts where a quick, unsystematic sample is taken.