grab1

[grab] /græb/
verb (used with object), grabbed, grabbing.
1.
to seize suddenly or quickly; snatch; clutch:
He grabbed me by the collar.
2.
to take illegal possession of; seize forcibly or unscrupulously:
to grab land.
3.
to obtain and consume quickly:
Let's grab a sandwich before going to the movie.
4.
Slang.
  1. to cause a reaction in; affect:
    How does my idea grab you?
  2. to arouse the interest or excitement of:
    The book was O.K., but it just didn't grab me.
verb (used without object), grabbed, grabbing.
5.
to make a grasping or clutching motion (usually followed by at):
He grabbed frantically at the life preserver.
6.
(of brakes, a clutch, etc.) to take hold suddenly or with a jolting motion; bind.
noun
7.
a sudden, quick grasp or snatch:
to make a grab at something.
8.
seizure or acquisition by violent or unscrupulous means.
9.
something that is grabbed.
10.
a mechanical device for gripping objects.
11.
the capacity to hold or adhere:
The glue was so old it had lost its grab.
Idioms
12.
up for grabs, Informal. available to anyone willing to expend the energy to get it:
The Republican nomination for mayor was up for grabs.
Origin
1580-90; cognate with Middle Dutch, Middle Low German grabben, Swedish grabba
Related forms
grabbable, adjective
ungrabbing, adjective
Synonyms
1. grasp, grip, catch.
British Dictionary definitions for up for grabs

grab

/ɡræb/
verb grabs, grabbing, grabbed
1.
to seize hold of (something)
2.
(transitive) to seize illegally or unscrupulously
3.
(transitive) to arrest; catch
4.
(intransitive) (of a brake or clutch in a vehicle) to grip and release intermittently causing juddering
5.
(transitive) (informal) to catch the attention or interest of; impress
noun
6.
the act or an instance of grabbing
7.
a mechanical device for gripping objects, esp the hinged jaws of a mechanical excavator
8.
something that is grabbed
9.
(informal) up for grabs, available to be bought, claimed, or won
Derived Forms
grabber, noun
Word Origin
C16: probably from Middle Low German or Middle Dutch grabben; related to Swedish grabba, Sanskrit grbhnāti he seizes
Word Origin and History for up for grabs

grab

v.

1580s, from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German grabben "to grab," from Proto-Germanic *grab (cf. Old English græppian "to seize," Old Saxon garva, Old High German garba "sheaf," literally "that which is gathered up together"), from PIE *ghrebh- "to seize, reach" (cf. Sanskrit grbhnati "seizes," Old Persian grab- "seize" as possession or prisoner, Old Church Slavonic grabiti "to seize, rob," Lithuanian grebiu "to rake"). Sense of "to get by unscrupulous methods" reinforced by grab game, a kind of swindle, attested from 1846. Related: Grabbed; grabbing.

n.

1777, "thing grabbed;" 1824, "act of grabbing," from grab (v.). Up for grabs attested from 1945 in jive talk.

Slang definitions & phrases for up for grabs

up for grabs

adjective phrase
  1. Available, esp newly available: ''High Haven,'' Luke repeated sonorously, ''is up for grabs''/ I got two doozies up for grabs
  2. Problematical or undecided, esp newly so: The whole question of one-man-one-vote is up for grabs again (1940s+)

grab

noun

An arrest; bust, pinch: We will get credit for the grab, and we will also profit/ The only thing worse than no grab is a bad grab (1753+ Police)

verb

To seize the admiration or attention of; impress: How does that grab you?/ to reflect on a whole lot of things that had been grabbing me (1966+)


Idioms and Phrases with up for grabs

up for grabs

Available to anyone, as in Now that he's resigned, his job is up for grabs. This term alludes to something being thrown in the air for anyone to grasp or catch. [ ; 1920s ]

grab

In addition to the idiom beginning with
grab
also see: