clutch
/klʌtʃ/ (bre, ipa) · /klʌtʃ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkləch/ (ame, mw)
clutch — 動詞
- clutchpresent simple I / you / we / they
- clutcheshe / she / it
- clutchedpast simple
- clutching-ing form
1. to press your fingers or hand firmly against something and keep it there, becaus
緊抓
因恐懼或痛苦而用力抓住
to press your fingers or hand firmly against something and keep it there, because you are frightened, hurting, or desperate not to lose it
The frightened child clutched his mother's hand as the crowd pushed past.
受到驚嚇的小孩緊抓著母親的手，因為人群不斷擠過來。
clutch + possessive noun phrase as object
Aiko clutched the wooden railing tightly when the boat began to rock.
船開始搖晃時，Aiko 緊緊抓住木頭欄杆。
clutch + object + adverb (tightly)
Leila clutched at the branch, trying not to fall from the tree.
Leila 抓住樹枝，努力不讓自己從樹上掉下來。
The old woman clutched her handbag to her chest and walked quickly past the stranger.
老婦人將手提包緊緊抱在胸前，快步走過陌生人身邊。
Beatriz clutched onto the edge of the seat as the plane hit a patch of rough air.
飛機遇上不穩定氣流時，Beatriz 緊緊抓住座椅邊緣。
文法句型
clutch + object
clutch at + object
clutch onto + object
用法筆記
Often used with prepositions 'at' or 'onto' when the action is an attempt rather than a firm hold. The 'at' form suggests the person is trying but may not succeed.
常見錯誤
clutch — 名詞
- clutchsingular
- clutchesplural
1. a device in a vehicle or machine that connects and disconnects the engine from t
離合器
引擎與變速箱之間的傳動裝置
a device in a vehicle or machine that connects and disconnects the engine from the wheels or other moving parts, allowing the driver to change gears or stop without turning off the engine
Ravi pressed the clutch and moved the gear stick carefully into first.
Ravi 踩下離合器，小心翼翼地將排檔桿移入一檔。
press the clutch
The mechanic said the old clutch in the delivery van needed to be replaced soon.
技師說這輛送貨車的老舊離合器需要趕快更換。
When Yusuf released the clutch too quickly, the car jerked forward and stalled.
Yusuf 太快放開離合器，車子向前猛然一頓後就熄火了。
A worn-out clutch can make it very hard to shift gears without a grinding noise.
磨損的離合器會讓你換檔時很難不聽到刺耳的金屬聲。
用法筆記
In a vehicle with a manual transmission, you press the clutch pedal with your foot to disconnect the engine power briefly while changing gear.
2. the foot-operated lever in a car or truck that a driver pushes down to disconnec
離合器踏板
車內控制離合器裝置的踏板
the foot-operated lever in a car or truck that a driver pushes down to disconnect the engine from the wheels so that the gears can be shifted
Noa kept her left foot resting on the clutch pedal while waiting at the red light.
Noa 在紅燈前等待時，左腳一直擱在離合器踏板上。
clutch pedal
In a manual car you must push the clutch pedal all the way down before shifting gear.
開手排車時，換檔前必須把離合器踏板踩到底。
push the clutch pedal
Diego pumped the clutch pedal several times to get the stubborn mechanism to loosen up.
Diego 連續踩了幾下離合器踏板，想讓卡住的機構鬆開。
The driving instructor showed Hana how to find the clutch pedal without looking down.
教練教 Hana 如何不用低頭看就能找到離合器踏板。
用法筆記
Distinct from sense 1 (MACHINE PART): this sense refers to the pedal or lever the driver touches, not the mechanical device underneath. In everyday talk, 'the clutch' can mean either, but 'clutch pedal' is unambiguous.
3. a set of eggs laid by one bird at a single time, typically in a nest and incubat
一窩蛋
同一隻鳥一次產下的蛋
a set of eggs laid by one bird at a single time, typically in a nest and incubated together
The robin sat patiently on her clutch of five blue eggs in the oak tree.
知更鳥靜靜地坐在橡樹上，守著牠那一窩五顆藍色的蛋。
clutch of [number] eggs
Hana found a small clutch of sparrow eggs hidden deep inside the garden hedge.
Hana 在花園樹籬深處發現了一小窩麻雀蛋。
Each spring the barn swallows return and lay a fresh clutch of eggs on the same beam.
每年春天家燕都會飛回來，在同一根橫樑上產下一窩新的蛋。
The researchers counted the number of eggs in each clutch to study the bird's breeding patterns.
研究人員計算每窩蛋的數量，以研究這種鳥的繁殖模式。
- brood
refers to the hatched chicks rather than the eggs
用法筆記
A bird may produce several clutches in one breeding season. The word emphasizes that the eggs were laid by the same mother at roughly the same time.
4. a handful of people or items that are gathered together in the same location or
一小群
一小群人或事物聚集在一起
a handful of people or items that are gathered together in the same location or belong together in some way
A small clutch of students gathered outside the library to discuss the exam results.
一小群學生聚集在圖書館外面討論考試成績。
clutch of + plural noun (people)
Dr. Okafor met with a clutch of reporters after the medical conference ended.
Okafor 醫師在醫學研討會結束後接見了一小群記者。
The photographer spotted a clutch of rare orchids growing behind the waterfall.
攝影師在瀑布後方發現了一叢稀有的蘭花。
A clutch of old photographs fell out of the book when Priya opened it.
Priya 打開書本時，一疊舊照片從書中掉了出來。
用法筆記
Use 'clutch' rather than 'group' when you want to emphasize that the collection is small and feels somewhat separate from its surroundings.
5. a position of power or control over someone, especially when that control is unw
掌控
對某人的控制或支配（難以逃脫）
a position of power or control over someone, especially when that control is unwanted or hard to escape
The charity organization held the whole village in its clutches through debt and threats.
那個慈善組織透過債務和威脅掌控了整個村莊。
in someone's clutches
Wen managed to escape from the clutches of the criminal gang after several months.
Wen 花了幾個月的時間，終於逃出了犯罪集團的魔掌。
escape/fall from the clutches of
The young bird had fallen into the clutches of a hungry stray cat.
那隻小鳥落進了一隻飢餓的流浪貓的爪子裡。
Tariq knew he had to keep his young brother out of the clutches of the local gang.
Tariq 知道必須讓弟弟遠離當地幫派的控制。
- freedom
the opposite of being under someone's control
用法筆記
Almost always used in the plural form 'clutches'. Often paired with verbs like 'fall into', 'escape from', or 'be in'. The image is of being trapped in someone's hands or claws.
6. a moment or situation that is difficult and demanding, where the outcome depends
關鍵時刻
需要技巧才能成功的壓力局面
a moment or situation that is difficult and demanding, where the outcome depends on performing well under pressure
The goalkeeper came through in the clutch and saved the penalty shot with one hand.
守門員在關鍵時刻挺身而出，單手撲出了那記罰球。
come through in the clutch (phrase)
When the main generator failed, the backup battery arrived right in the clutch.
主發電機故障時，備用電池正好在關鍵時刻派上了用場。
in the clutch — at a critical moment
Priya always performs her best in the clutch when the pressure is highest.
Priya 總是在壓力最大的關鍵時刻表現得最好。
Amara froze in the clutch and missed the easy shot that would have won the match.
Amara 在關鍵時刻愣住了，錯失了那個本該輕鬆進球、贏得比賽的好機會。
用法筆記
Common in sports contexts. The phrase 'in the clutch' means 'at a critical moment'. 'Come through in the clutch' means to perform well when it matters most. This sense is strongly associated with informal American English.
clutch — 形容詞
- clutchpositive
- clutchercomparative
- clutchestsuperlative
1. describes a person who is able to perform well and succeed when the situation is
可靠的
能在關鍵時刻發揮作用的人
describes a person who is able to perform well and succeed when the situation is very difficult or the outcome really matters
Theo is the most clutch player on the team when the game is on the line.
Theo 是隊上在比賽勝負關頭最靠得住的球員。
clutch player
The coach put her most clutch striker onto the field for the final minutes of the match.
教練在比賽最後幾分鐘，派上她最可靠的前鋒上場。
Every team needs a few clutch performers who stay calm under pressure.
每支球隊都需要幾個能在壓力下保持冷靜的關鍵球員。
Rashida earned a reputation as a clutch negotiator who could close any difficult deal.
Rashida 贏得了關鍵談判專家的名聲，什麼棘手的案子都能搞定。
- reliable
more formal; does not imply high-pressure situations specifically
- dependable
consistently good; less dramatic than clutch
- unreliable
cannot be trusted to perform when needed
用法筆記
Used before nouns only. Originally from American sports slang (a 'clutch hitter' in baseball), now used in other high-pressure contexts like business and exams.
2. describes an action or performance that is done successfully at a very important
關鍵的
在重要關頭成功完成的動作
describes an action or performance that is done successfully at a very important and difficult moment, when the result depends on it
Nadia made a clutch shot that won the basketball tournament for her school.
Nadia 投進了關鍵一球，為學校贏得了籃球錦標賽。
clutch shot
The pilot's clutch decision to turn back prevented a disaster during the snowstorm.
機長在暴風雪中做出了關鍵的折返決定，避免了災難。
clutch decision
It was a clutch save by the firefighter who caught the child at the last second.
消防員在最後一刻接住了孩子，完成了關鍵的救援。
The lawyer made a clutch argument in court that convinced the jury to change their vote.
律師在法庭上做出了關鍵的辯論，說服陪審團改變了投票。
用法筆記
Unlike sense 1 (DEPENDABLE) which describes the PERSON, this sense describes the ACTION itself. You can be a clutch player (sense 1) who makes a clutch shot (sense 2).
3. describes something that is exactly what you need in a given situation — extreme
超棒的
正好符合需要的、極其實用
describes something that is exactly what you need in a given situation — extremely useful, well-timed, or perfectly suited
That lightweight jacket is clutch — it goes with everything and folds into a bag.
那件輕便夾克超好用，什麼衣服都搭得上，還能折進袋子裡。
is clutch (predicative use)
Rohan brought a clutch playlist for the road trip that everyone in the car enjoyed.
Rohan 為公路旅行準備了一份超棒的歌單，車上每個人都很喜歡。
The extra blanket we packed turned out to be clutch when the temperature dropped at night.
夜間氣溫下降時，我們多帶的那條毯子正好派上了用場。
Yara found a clutch parking spot right in front of the restaurant just as the rain started.
就在雨剛下起來的時候，Yara 在餐廳正前方找到了一個超讚的停車位。
- useless
completely the opposite of helpful
用法筆記
Unlike senses 1–2 which must come before a noun, this sense can be used predicatively ('That is clutch'). Strongly informal — best for casual conversation, not formal writing.