# grip

/ˈɡɹɪp/ (US) · /ɡɹˈɪp/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. a firm hold

noun · CEFR B2

a firm, strong hold on something with your hand.

For teachers: a firm manual hold or the manner in which an object is grasped.

- He kept a tight grip on his daughter's hand while they crossed the busy street.
- The climber maintained a steady grip on the limestone ledge, waiting for his breathing to slow before making the next move.

### 2. control or understanding

noun · CEFR B2

control over a situation, or a clear understanding of a difficult subject.

For teachers: intellectual mastery or effective control over a person, group, or situation.

- The new manager quickly got a grip on the company's financial problems.
- The administration struggled to maintain its grip on the narrative as contradictory reports began to emerge from the border.

### 3. friction

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the ability of something, like a tyre or shoe, to stay on a surface without sliding.

For teachers: the friction between a body and the surface on which it moves, preventing slippage.

- These new winter tyres have much better grip on icy roads.
- The racing driver complained that the rear tyres were losing grip during high-speed cornering, forcing a premature pit stop.

### 4. film crew member

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a person who handles equipment, like cameras and lights, on a film set.

For teachers: a technician responsible for the setup and maintenance of production equipment on a film or television set.

- The key grip made sure the camera track was perfectly level for the long shot.
- After years working as a grip on independent features, he finally joined the union to work on major studio productions.

### 5. a lot of something

noun · CEFR C2 · Slang · American English · Dialect

a large amount of something or a long period of time.

For teachers: a significant quantity or duration; used colloquially in specific regional dialects.

- I haven't seen him in a grip, so I barely recognised him with the beard.
- She spent a grip of money on those designer shoes, but she claims they were worth every cent.

Teaching tip: This sense is highly regional to the West Coast of the United States; learners should avoid it in formal or international contexts.

### 6. to hold tightly

verb · CEFR B2

to hold something very tightly.

For teachers: to seize or maintain a firm manual hold upon an object.

- The child gripped his teddy bear as he waited for the doctor.
- The sailor gripped the railing as the ship pitched violently in the heavy swells.

### 7. to fascinate

verb · CEFR B2

to hold someone's attention completely because something is very exciting.

For teachers: to compel the total attention or interest of an audience or individual.

- The mystery novel was so exciting that it gripped me from the first page.
- The witness's testimony gripped the courtroom, leaving the jurors visibly moved by the account of the events.

### 8. to affect strongly

verb · CEFR C1 · Literary

when a strong feeling or a difficult situation has a powerful effect on you.

For teachers: of an emotion or condition: to dominate or affect an individual or group intensely.

- A sudden fear gripped him as he realised he was lost in the woods.
- Panic gripped the city's residents as news of the impending strike spread through the morning broadcasts.

## Examples

- He lost his grip on the heavy suitcase.
- The new manager is finally getting a grip on the company's complicated financial situation.
- The icy conditions caused the tires to lose their grip on the asphalt, sending the vehicle into a slow, uncontrollable slide toward the shoulder.

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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.