grab by the lapels
To exert control over (something).
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“You need to grab the project by the lapels and finish it.”
“The company was failing, so the new manager grabbed the situation by the lapels to restore order.”
“Faced with the impending collapse of the department, the director grabbed the crisis by the lapels and implemented a series of rigorous, immediate reforms.”
- 01
grab and go
To get something quickly
- 02
grab the bull by the horns
Synonym of take the bull by the horns.
- 03
grab the popcorn
Used to express anticipated enjoyment from watching a conflict or argument developing between other people, as if one were being entertained at the movies.
- 04
make a grab
To try to take quickly.
- 05
power grab
An attempt to gain authority in an oppressive or unscrupulous way.
Last updated August 10, 2026