snatch at

snatch at — 片語動詞

  • snatch atbase form
  • snatches at3rd person singular
  • snatching at-ing form
  • snatched atpast simple

1. to quickly reach out and try to grip something or someone with your hand, often

1.片語動詞不及物B2
釋義

搶抓；急忙抓

迅速伸手試圖抓住某物或某人

to quickly reach out and try to grip something or someone with your hand, often in a sudden or desperate way — for example, snatching at a swinging rope, or at someone's arm before they move away.

例句

Kabir snatched at the rope swinging past him, but his fingers only brushed against it.

Kabir 急忙伸手去抓那條朝他擺盪過來的繩子，但手指只輕輕擦過繩面。

snatch at + noun phrase for attempted grabbing

The toddler snatched at Mira's phone before she could move it out of reach.

那個小童在 Mira 來得及把手機挪開之前，就已伸手搶抓。

常見搭配
  • snatch at a rope
  • snatch at someone's sleeve
  • snatch at a falling object
  • snatch at someone's hand
同義詞
  • grab at

    more neutral, less sudden or desperate than 'snatch at'

  • clutch at

    suggests holding on rather than a single quick attempt to take

  • reach for

    broader; can be slow or deliberate, not necessarily urgent

反義詞
  • let go

    the opposite of trying to take hold

  • release

    formal opposite; to stop holding something

文法句型

snatch at + noun phrase (the thing or person you try to take)

用法筆記

Always followed by 'at'. Unlike the bare verb 'snatch', which usually implies success in taking something, 'snatch at' emphasises the attempt — the result may be failure.

常見錯誤

She snatched at the bag from the table.
She snatched at the bag lying on the table.
'snatch at' already contains the particle 'at'; do not add 'from' as a second directional particle.
The dog snatched at and caught the ball.
The dog snatched at the ball and caught it.
'snatch at' always needs the particle when describing the attempt, even if the action succeeds.

2. to quickly and eagerly accept or use an opportunity, offer, or chance before it

2.片語動詞不及物B2
釋義

把握；抓緊

迅速把握即將消失的機會

to quickly and eagerly accept or use an opportunity, offer, or chance before it is no longer available — for example, snatching at a job offer, or at a chance to visit a foreign country.

例句

The company snatched at the chance to hire Reuben before their competitors made an offer.

該公司在競爭對手提出聘書之前，就急忙把握機會僱用 Reuben。

snatch at + chance / opportunity figurative use

Sofie snatched at the opportunity to study in Berlin, knowing it might never come again.

Sofie 把握住去柏林進修的機會，知道這可能再也不會有第二次。

常見搭配
  • snatch at an opportunity
  • snatch at a chance
  • snatch at an offer
  • snatch at a deal
同義詞
  • jump at

    slightly more enthusiastic and immediate; also informal

  • leap at

    very similar to 'jump at', emphasises eagerness even more

  • seize

    more formal; does not need 'at' and implies success

反義詞
  • miss

    to fail to take an opportunity, whether by choice or accident

  • let slip

    to not take an opportunity when you could have

文法句型

snatch at + opportunity / chance / offer

用法筆記

Always followed by 'at'. Objects are typically abstract nouns such as 'opportunity', 'chance', 'offer', or 'deal'. This sense is common in business, education, and career contexts.

常見錯誤

I snatched the opportunity before it was too late.
I snatched at the opportunity before it was too late.
'snatch at' is the correct phrasal verb for trying to take an opportunity; 'snatch' without 'at' means physically taking an object.