# grabbing

/ˈɡɹæbɪŋ/ (US) · /ɡɹˈæbɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/grabbing
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. taking with hands

verb · CEFR A2

taking hold of something suddenly or roughly with your hand.

For teachers: the act of seizing or grasping something suddenly, often with force or without warning.

- He was grabbing his bags from the overhead bin as soon as the plane landed.
- The child was caught grabbing toys from the other children, leading to a brief discussion about the importance of sharing.

### 2. getting quickly

verb · CEFR B1 · Informal

getting something, like food or a coffee, in a quick and informal way.

For teachers: obtaining or consuming something quickly, typically used in informal contexts regarding meals or drinks.

- We are grabbing a quick sandwich before the movie starts.
- After the conference, several delegates were seen grabbing a coffee at the station while waiting for their respective trains.

### 3. attracting attention

verb · CEFR B2

getting someone's attention or interest immediately.

For teachers: capturing or attracting interest, attention, or imagination effectively.

- The bright colors of the poster were grabbing everyone's attention.
- The opening scene of the documentary was particularly effective at grabbing the audience's interest by presenting a startling statistic.

### 4. the act of snatching

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the physical action of trying to take something quickly.

For teachers: the instance or act of snatching or seizing something.

- The sudden grabbing of the microphone surprised the speaker.
- The illegal grabbing of land by large corporations has become a major point of contention in the local political landscape.

## Examples

- He is grabbing his coat before leaving the house.
- I am grabbing a quick coffee before the meeting starts at nine.
- The protagonist is seen grabbing the heavy iron railing to steady himself as the ship lurches violently against the incoming tide.

---

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.