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# clutch

verb (clutch, clutches, clutched, clutching); noun (a clutch, clutches); adjective (clutch — US slang)

«clutch» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To hold something tightly, often because you are afraid, in pain or don't want to lose it. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clutch/#m1)
2. To try to grab something quickly («clutch at the rope»). [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clutch/#m2)
3. (noun) A pedal in a car (and a lever on a motorbike) used to change gears. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clutch/#m3)
4. (noun) A group of eggs laid at one time by a bird, or a group of chicks; also a small group of things. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clutch/#m4)
5. (noun) In «in someone's clutches»: in someone's power or control. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clutch/#m5)
6. (slang, especially US) Very good at doing well in a tense, important moment («a clutch shot»). [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clutch/#m6)
7. (noun) A small handbag with no handle, held in the hand. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clutch/#m7)

### In the lessons

In stories it shows fear or determination — clutching a teddy, clutching a ticket. The idiom «clutch at straws» means trying anything when there is little hope. In nature lessons a hen sits on a clutch of eggs. In driving, the clutch is pressed to change gear. In sport talk (especially in North America), a «clutch» player scores when it matters most. It tells the reader about holding tight, power or eggs.

### Examples

- She clutched her mum's hand in the dark corridor. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clutch/#x1)
- He was clutching a crumpled five-pound note. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clutch/#x2)
- The duck sat on a clutch of eight eggs. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clutch/#x3)
- Press the clutch before you change gear. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clutch/#x4)
- The princess was in the witch's clutches. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clutch/#x5)
- That last-second basket was so clutch! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clutch/#x6)
- He clutched his stomach and groaned. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clutch/#x7)
- Don't clutch at straws — just admit you forgot. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clutch/#x8)
- But he stretched out his arm and clutched wildly at the mane and pulled himself into the saddle. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clutch/#x9)

### Note

Verb: clutches, clutched, clutching. Noun plural: clutches. Note the many meanings — read the sentence: eggs, cars, grip, bags or slang. «Clutch» as an adjective (a clutch player) is informal slang, mainly American.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «clutch» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clutch/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«clutch» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/clutch.html) on Mova free.