# grab

/ˈɡɹæb/ (US) · /ɡɹˈæb/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/grab
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to seize suddenly

verb · CEFR A2

to take hold of something or someone suddenly and with force.

For teachers: to seize or grasp something suddenly, often with a degree of force or urgency.

- He had to grab the railing to keep from falling on the stairs.
- The child reached out to grab his mother's hand as the crowd began to surge toward the station entrance.

### 2. to get quickly

verb · CEFR A2 · Informal

to get, buy, or take something quickly because you are in a hurry.

For teachers: to obtain or retrieve something in a hurried or informal manner.

- I need to grab my coat from the car before we leave.
- If we hurry, we can grab the last few tickets before the box office closes for the evening.

### 3. to eat or drink quickly

verb · CEFR B1 · Informal

to have a quick meal or drink when you do not have much time.

For teachers: to consume food or drink hastily, typically due to time constraints.

- Let's grab a coffee before the meeting starts.
- The commuters usually grab a quick sandwich at the station rather than sitting down for a proper lunch.

### 4. to attract attention

verb · CEFR B2

to get someone's interest or attention immediately.

For teachers: to capture or command the attention or interest of an audience.

- The bright colours of the advertisement really grab your attention.
- The opening chapter of the novel is designed to grab the reader's interest and establish a sense of mystery.

### 5. an act of seizing

noun · CEFR B2

a sudden attempt to take or hold something.

For teachers: a sudden, forceful act of grasping or snatching at an object.

- The player made a grab for the ball but missed it.
- In a desperate grab for power, the junior executive attempted to bypass his manager and speak directly to the board.

### 6. a taxi ride

noun · CEFR B1 · Informal · Dialect

a ride in a car booked through a specific mobile app, common in Southeast Asia.

For teachers: a journey made in a private hire vehicle booked via the Grab ride-hailing platform.

- It is raining outside, so let's just call a Grab to get to the restaurant.
- After the concert ended, hundreds of people were trying to book a Grab at the same time, causing prices to surge.

Usage: Commonly used in Malaysia, Singapore, and neighbouring countries as a generic term for ride-hailing.

Teaching tip: This is a brand-name turned common noun, similar to 'an Uber' in Western countries.

## Examples

- He made a quick grab for the last slice of pizza.
- The politician's sudden policy change was seen by critics as a desperate grab for votes before the election.
- In a bold power grab that stunned the board of directors, the minority shareholder attempted to seize control of the company during the annual meeting.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.