Grab Meaning
Grab Definition & Usage
To take hold of something with a quick, often forceful motion.
Examples
- "She grabbed her coat and ran out the door."
- "I need to grab my keys before I forget them."
- "He grabbed the phone from the table just as it started ringing."
- "She grabbed his arm to stop him from walking away."
- "The child grabbed the toy from the shelf and ran off."
To obtain something quickly, often as an opportunity presents itself.
Examples
- "I'll grab a coffee before the meeting starts."
- "They grabbed a seat at the front of the theater."
- "I need to grab some lunch before I go back to work."
- "She grabbed a quick nap during the break."
- "He grabbed the last piece of pizza before anyone else could."
To attract someone's attention or interest in a striking or forceful way.
Examples
- "The advertisement really grabbed my attention."
- "His performance on stage grabbed the audience's attention."
- "She told a story that grabbed everyone's interest."
- "The shocking news grabbed the headlines."
- "That new movie grabbed me from the very beginning."
A quick action, often taken with urgency or in a moment of opportunity.
Examples
- "I just need to make a quick grab of some food before the meeting."
- "He made a grab for the last seat in the car."
- "She made a grab at the last sale item before it was taken."
- "I’m just going to make a quick grab for my keys."
- "The thief made a grab for her purse and ran off."
Cultural Context
The word 'grab' has its origins in Middle English 'grappen', which came from the Old French 'graper' meaning 'to seize'. Over time, the word has evolved in usage and expanded from simply describing a physical action to encompass metaphorical uses, particularly in relation to attracting attention or opportunities.
The Grab
Story
The Grab
On a typical Wednesday morning, Mark and Jenny found themselves rushing through the crowded downtown streets, each preoccupied with the chaos of their own lives. Jenny, late for a meeting, grabbed her coffee cup from the café counter without even looking up. Mark, on the other hand, was in a more urgent rush – he had forgotten an important document at home. In a panic, he grabbed his phone, called a cab, and dashed across the street. As he sprinted toward the corner, he noticed a man across the road, looking around frantically as he tried to grab his keys from the ground. Jenny, already in the cab with her coffee, saw the scene unfold as she too made a mental note to grab her own moment of peace once the meeting was over. ‘If only I could grab a break,’ she thought, staring out the window as the city buzzed around her. Meanwhile, Mark arrived at his building, relieved to have made it in time, and ran straight for the elevator. A group of people had gathered by the doors, and Mark, not wanting to wait, made a quick grab for the button to call the elevator. Just as he pressed it, a hand reached out and snatched it away from him. ‘Hey!’ Mark exclaimed, turning around to face the man who had stolen the button. Later that evening, Mark and Jenny bumped into each other at a bar, both still talking about their hectic days. ‘You know,’ Jenny said with a laugh, ‘today I just needed to grab a moment for myself.’ Mark smiled, recalling the morning’s chaos. ‘I think I grabbed more than I bargained for,’ he said, raising his glass. The two clinked glasses, realizing that while they had grabbed what they could during the day, it was these small moments that mattered the most.
Related Words
