grasp
grasp — verb
1. to suddenly take and hold someone or something tightly with your hand or hands,
to suddenly take and hold someone or something tightly with your hand or hands, often in a quick or forceful way.
Andrew grasped the rope with both hands and pulled himself up.
grasped + with both hands
The firefighter grasped the child's wrist just before she slipped off the ledge.
grasp + body part (wrist)
Bao grasped the metal railing tightly as the boat rocked from side to side.
Ryan grasped his mother's hand on the crowded train platform and did not let go.
文法句型
grasp + noun phrase
用法筆記
Commonly used with body parts (wrist, arm, hand) or objects (rope, railing, handle) as the object. The adverb 'tightly' frequently accompanies this sense.
常見錯誤
2. to eagerly accept an opportunity or advantage the moment it appears, without hes
to eagerly accept an opportunity or advantage the moment it appears, without hesitating, so that you can use it well.
When a better job offer arrived, Zola grasped the opportunity without a second thought.
grasp + opportunity
Shirin grasped the chance to study abroad when her school announced the exchange program.
grasp + the chance to [do something]
Quan grasped the moment and asked the professor for a letter of recommendation.
Asher grasped every chance to practice his guitar in front of an audience.
文法句型
grasp + opportunity/chance/moment
用法筆記
The object is always an abstract noun such as 'opportunity', 'chance', or 'moment'. This sense is rarely used with concrete objects.
常見錯誤
3. to succeed in understanding something that is complicated, difficult, or not imm
to succeed in understanding something that is complicated, difficult, or not immediately obvious — for example, grasping a scientific concept, the main point of an argument, or the reason behind a decision.
Diya took a long time to grasp the rules of chess, but she kept practising.
grasp + rules
Several students in the class could not grasp the concept of supply and demand.
grasp + concept
Bao finally grasped the main idea after reading the chapter for the second time.
The children could not grasp why the sky changes colour at sunset every evening.
Andrew grasped the difference between the two methods after trying both of them.
- understand
more general; grasp implies a more thorough or effortful understanding
- comprehend
more formal; similar depth but less common in everyday speech
- figure out
informal; emphasises the process of working something out
- misunderstand
to understand incorrectly
- miss
to fail to notice or understand something
文法句型
grasp + noun phrase
grasp + what/how/why clause
用法筆記
Often used with question-word clauses (why, how, what) or abstract nouns (concept, idea, meaning, difference). Unlike 'understand', 'grasp' strongly suggests the topic was challenging and required effort.
常見錯誤
grasp — noun
1. the action of taking and holding something or someone firmly in your hands or ar
the action of taking and holding something or someone firmly in your hands or arms, or the way in which you hold them.
Ryan kept a firm grasp on the suitcase as the crowded bus moved forward.
firm grasp on + object
The climber's grasp on the rock weakened as her fingers grew tired and cold.
grasp on + [surface] weakens
Andrew loosened his grasp and let the butterfly fly away into the garden.
The baby kept a firm grasp on her father's thumb and would not let go.
- release
the act of letting go
文法句型
grasp on + noun phrase
用法筆記
Typically followed by 'on' (grasp on something) to indicate what is being held. The adjectives 'firm', 'tight', and 'strong' are common modifiers.
常見錯誤
2. the power or ability to keep something valuable or desirable, such as political
the power or ability to keep something valuable or desirable, such as political power, market control, or a position of authority, so that others cannot take it away.
The general kept a tight grasp on the army for more than two decades.
tight grasp on + institution
The company's grasp on the local market began to slip as new competitors arrived.
grasp on the market slips
Élise felt the family's grasp over the business was starting to weaken after the crisis.
The rebels fought for years to break the government's grasp over the northern provinces.
- loss
the state of no longer having control
文法句型
grasp on/over + noun phrase
用法筆記
Used with either 'on' or 'over' to indicate what is controlled. Common verbs that accompany this sense: 'keep', 'maintain', 'tighten', 'loosen', 'weaken', 'break'. Frequently used in political and business contexts.
常見錯誤
❌ 'His grasp on power is strong.' (correct but vague) — specify the type of power: 'His grasp on political power is strong.'
3. a deep and thorough understanding of a particular subject, idea, skill, or situa
a deep and thorough understanding of a particular subject, idea, skill, or situation, especially one that allows you to use that knowledge well.
Bao has a good grasp of Chinese history and can answer most questions about it.
good grasp of + subject
The entrance exam tests the students' grasp of basic scientific principles.
grasp of + principles
Élise's firm grasp of English grammar helped her write better academic essays.
The professor's deep grasp of the subject impressed everyone in the lecture hall.
Diya showed a solid grasp of the facts during the debate competition at school.
- understanding
more general; grasp implies a more complete, practical understanding
- knowledge
focuses on information known; grasp suggests deeper comprehension
- command
implies mastery and the ability to use the knowledge effectively
- ignorance
lack of knowledge or understanding
文法句型
grasp of + noun phrase
用法筆記
Always followed by 'of' (grasp of something). Common adjectives: 'good', 'firm', 'solid', 'thorough', 'deep', 'clear'. The noun that follows is typically an academic subject, a skill, or an abstract topic.