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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Grab: Definition, Usage & Examples Explained (3 meaning)

Meaning 1：snatch (grab)

grab 🔊

/ɡræb/

to take hold of something suddenly and firmly with your hand.

Grab meaning illustrated: a hand firmly grabbing a coffee mug handle.

snatch 🔊

➕

/snætʃ/

To take hold of something with the hand in a sudden, firm, and often aggressive motion.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Middle Dutch 'grabben', meaning 'to seize'.

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine someone quickly GRABbing the last seat on a bus. GRAb Bus = Get Ready And Board! It's a sudden, firm action.

📖 Example

The child grabbed the candy from the table and ran to his room. 🔊 The child suddenly took hold of the candy from the table and ran to his room.

🔗 Collocations

grab a seat – To quickly take an available seat.

grab hold of – To take firm possession or control of something.

grab and go – To take something quickly for immediate use, often referring to food.

🔄 Synonyms

seize (v.) – To take hold of suddenly and forcibly, often with legal or official authority implied.

snatch (v.) – To seize something quickly or stealthily, often implying a brief or hurried action.

clutch (v.) – To grasp or hold tightly, often due to fear, anxiety, or a strong desire to keep.

🚫 Antonyms

release (v.) – To allow something to move, act, or flow freely; to let go of.

drop (v.) – To let something fall or to stop holding it.

let go (v.) – To stop holding something; to release one's grip.

🌱 Derivatives

grabber (n.) – A person or thing that grabs; something that captures attention.

grabbing (n./adj.) – The act of seizing; characterized by taking quickly.

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'grab' originates from Middle Dutch 'grabben', meaning 'to seize'. It originally described physical seizing, often in hunting or conflict. Its modern extension to opportunities and attention reflects a culture valuing speed and assertiveness, especially in business and media contexts.

Meaning 2：seize quickly (grab)

grab 🔊

/ɡræb/

to take advantage of an opportunity quickly before it disappears.

Grab an opportunity: person rushing to catch a closing subway door.

seize quickly 🔊

➕

/siːz ˈkwɪk.li/

To take advantage of an opportunity, offer, or chance promptly and eagerly before it is gone.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

If you see that bus coming, you should grab it, because the next one is in an hour. 🔊 If you see that bus approaching, you should quickly take the opportunity to board it, because the next one will arrive in an hour.

🔗 Collocations

grab a chance – To quickly take advantage of an opportunity.

grab the opportunity – To act decisively to make use of a favorable situation.

grab a bite – To get something to eat quickly.

🔄 Synonyms

seize (v.) – To take hold of an opportunity eagerly and decisively.

jump at (v.) – To accept an opportunity with great eagerness.

capitalize on (v.) – To use a situation to gain an advantage.

🚫 Antonyms

miss (v.) – To fail to take advantage of an opportunity.

pass up (v.) – To decide not to take advantage of an opportunity.

hesitate (v.) – To pause before acting, often resulting in missing a chance.

🌱 Derivatives

grabby (adj.) – Eager to get things, especially money or advantages; acquisitive.

Meaning 3：captivate (grab)

grab 🔊

/ɡræb/

to attract and hold someone's attention strongly.

captivate 🔊

➕

/ˈkæp.tɪ.veɪt/

To capture and hold someone's attention, interest, or imagination in a powerful and compelling way.

📁 Category：Entertainment & Sports 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The movie's exciting trailer grabbed my attention immediately. 🔊 The movie's exciting trailer captured and held my attention immediately.

🔗 Collocations

grab attention – To succeed in attracting and holding notice.

grab headlines – To become the main subject of news reports.

grab the spotlight – To become the center of public attention.

🔄 Synonyms

capture (v.) – To successfully represent or record something, especially in a way that holds interest.

engage (v.) – To attract and keep someone's interest or attention.

rivet (v.) – To command someone's complete attention as if fastened firmly.

🚫 Antonyms

bore (v.) – To cause someone to feel weary and uninterested.

lose (v.) – To cease to have the attention or interest of someone.

🌱 Derivatives

attention-grabbing (adj.) – Designed or likely to attract notice.